Car Cover

Actually, everyone pay attention: to dry out or to keep a car dry, just go to your local home and garden and buy a sack of Dolomite Lime, otherwise known as "Quicklime." It's 'hygroscopic' (means it absorbs water from the air) and a 25 pound bag gives you enough to condition 3 cars for a season. Just put a plastic bag in a box, pour 1/3rd of a bag in, then set inside in the center of the car. For a sedan, 1-2 pounds in a bag inside a box will do the trick. Just make sure the bag is fully open.

 

You'll get condensation on the inside walls and roof of the shelter.
Which will also drip and freeze.
I'd still put a tarp or something over the car.

I also was able to pick up a cover for a wagon on ebay, fits the Fairmont nicely.
It's sort of fabric, not plastic.
It worked well last winter, still in good shape but could probably use a wash.
This year I'll use it AND put a tarp over as well.

 

I like the Quicklime idea. I know the crystals I used a few years worked. Just cost too much.
I would never put a common tarp over any car. Maybe a car cover. Even the cheap covers help keep dust and things off. I use the very cheap ones in the garage and when moteling just to keep hands and eyes off the car. Might help with dripping water under a car port.
Also what about condensation from under a car parked on grass or dirt? Will a tarp under it help or hurt?
Fannie may consider sneaking over the fence and hidding her wagon in the neighbor's barn.

 

Another good idea, I'll take your suggestion...I'm new at this car storage stuff.

 

Ok I think I have the pictures of the cover ready for your approval...

 

That looks very good. Is the roof and sides all one piece?

 

I'm hoping with the pitched roof, any condensation would roll down the sides. However, perhaps I'll look into getting a dust cover just the same.
I put a large piece of card board on the ground under the engine to catch any oil drips so it wouldn't stain the patio stones. Do you think this a good idea? The card board, once damp would stay the way... I guess it isn't any different then the ground??? But maybe it might act as a insulator between the ground and the car? Perhaps I should put more card board under the rest of the car???

 

Yes. I believe the ends are separate. Hubby put it together when I was at work. I only helped a bit with the frame. He really prefers to work alone. And that's not because I'm difficult to work with he just prefers to do things himself.

 

That was quite a job all alone putting the cover on. Your husband did well!
That's a well made and roomy car storage garage. It should stay put where it is mostly protected on three sides.

PS My Chevy Impala is that red color, called Salsa Red.

Fannie----------- Ok I think I have the pictures of the cover ready for your approval...

I'm Model T and I approve this cover!

 

It is not. You put the end panels on first. Then they give you two ropes which you tie into grommets. Toss the ropes over the peak and pull the main cover to you. Then fasten them down. Actually, they made it so you could erect it yourself and no Viagra is required.

 

If it gets wet with water don't leave that cardboard under it.
Oil is ok.
I'll get mine rustproofed again before I lay it up.

 

Looks good, fannie. I'd forget about the cardboard also, if you are that worried about the wagon making it's territory I'd just keep it simple. Get a $1 alum large turkey pan etc, put a brick in it just so no breeze moves it....... then come spring any oil/anti freeze leaked out you can put rite back in the engine I also IMO would not get carried away with all that sorb-all stuff to collect moisture. I drafty barn and drive way store my wagons and have never had a reason to justify spending $ on that stuff. News papers, just plop them here there and everywhere on the floor, they absorb the damp real good yet keep carpet dry, and BTW you do remember I live in a rain forest winter environment, rite? But remember, you have to change them now and then but everyone all ways gets garbage flyers etc in the mail so it's free, rite? You may get condensation, you may not, just depends on how tight you have the car shelter sealed..... it needs to breath. You also just can't forget about the car in that car shelter, I don't even forget about mine that I barn, you still need to go out, look, open doors etc IMO. If it wasn't for my oak trees I would have a couple of your shelters, yet I have seen many in my climate that do condensate and others that don't. The ones that do out here are sealed up like a zip lock bag.....but I can't/don't know exactly what your climate is like........... other than seeing you sitting on top of your back yard swing with 12 feet of snow under you........meanwhile I'm getting into the canoe of the back deck to paddle to my work van in the AM

Around the house I don't worry about 'critters" but at the barn they are there. I'm sure I have mentioned this to you personally in a thread but I'll mention it again....



It doesn't kill critters but for who cares what reason they just don't like it (bugs also) so I use it under the hood and inside the cars during winter......and the car smells laundry fresh in the spring.....rather than and no offence to anyone, air fresheners that compare to the $1, 5 gallon jugs of cheap perfume old ladies were...... and or Old Spice what Old Guys cover themselves in to cover up the smell of brill cream! (sorry, bad confined elevator space experiences with both.....)


...Available at Crappy Tire and any hardware store, again it does not kill but they sure don't like it and stay away. I spread it around and under the cars in the barn, that and cedar chips. Just read the ingredients.... it's all spices/peppers, etc...but the perfect blend to keep critters away.....and it makes a good spice for a hot chili!

Just don't forget about the wagon,


EDIT, forgot to mention......

Yes a car cover under there would be a great idea, but could cost you a $$$. My barn for years now and now my friends with the same shelter as you....... Dollar store bed sheets $2, get 4. Crappy tire all ways has 9'x12' green tarps for $3.97, get 3...... are you following me here?

 

Tedy Tedy Tedy...


of course I'm following you. All great suggestions thank you. I was thinking about a few sheets from the $ store or some place like it. I'll also check out the Critter stuff, my neighbours like to feed the squirrels. The shelter isn't tight to the ground, there is actually movement when it is breeze. I expect there will be a small amount of snow that will blow in under it on the one side but not to much to worry about.

 

Wow that Fat Tedy is a regular Dear Abby of cars. I like the old newspaper and Bounce idea. Cheap like me and Tedy!
For some reason squirrels love to chew on wires so the bounce might be good insurance to keep them away from the engine and under the hood.
After all when you sit in the wagon idling the engine this winter while wearing your cheap French perfume it will counter act that smell.
I still remember the "ladies" in the office where I first worked and my poor old aunt bathing in that stuff!

 

And now men have Axe, the "whorebath in a can."