Car storage is an industry with unique characteristics and multiple benefits that provide a service for people looking to safely maintain their vehicles. Depending on location and transportation logistics, you need various elements in your garage with the necessary qualities if you want to keep your vehicle on your property.
This guide to classic car storage will provide valuable information on different steps you can take to protect and keep your cars functional. The best space may require some modifications, but it is a great investment to keep the value of your car intact and possibly raise it.
The value of a classic car will increase depending on various factors, from mileage to original parts and care, which you can use as an investment. Classic cars have added value from time and history, and preserving those characteristics will deliver a unique experience and save moments in time.
Dry Storage
Keeping your vehicle dry most of the time when it’s not in use will prevent the exterior from suffering damage that could cost you a lot to repair. Weather conditions could vary depending on where you live, and if there is constant rain or flooding, you must ensure that your car stays away and above this.
Find a storage unit with a high elevation or water protection around the main entrances. You can also keep it inside your garage if you have the right conditions. Doing so could save you time and money and allow you full control over what elements affect your vehicle.
Air Circulation
Poor air circulation inside a storage unit or a garage could accumulate dust and some debris that could damage the exterior paint and clog the filters. Having good circulation provides breathing options to your classic car and keeps it fresh with the proper maintenance care.
Good air circulation requires windows and doors for the air to move around and inside your car constantly. You must keep the windows of your vehicle closed to prevent dust, debris, and possibly insects from entering it as a result of this action. Places with poor air circulation could develop a musky environment that could infiltrate your car.
Fix Damage
Before storing your vehicle, it is essential that you fix any problems it may have to prevent them from affecting other characteristics. A cracked window will let dust into the car’s interior, which could clog air filters; a missing part could expose other parts, especially if it’s a door or a cover.
Finding parts for classic vehicles like sportscars or Jeeps could become challenging without the right help or contacts, leaving your vehicle unfinished and exposed. Kaiser Jeep parts must have unique specifications and come from original manufacturers to perfectly fit your vehicle. Using proper parts will prevent your vehicle’s deterioration and future problems.
Maintenance Routines
To maintain your classic car or Jeep functional and ready, you must perform regular maintenance no matter how long you must store it for. Some of the most common practices include the following:
- Constant lubrication of moving parts.
- Check and test the battery to ensure it’s still active.
- Replace fluids every month.
- Turn the engine on and check for unfamiliar noises.
- Check the windshield wiper.
These practices won’t take long and will ensure that your vehicle doesn’t suffer any damage, allowing you to fix any problems.
Climate Control
The storage location where you will keep your classic car must have climate control to prevent damage and wear out. Different locations have unique weather conditions that could expand inside a storage unit, making it extremely hot or cold. Utilizing climate control is the best way to maintain a constant temperature to avoid maintenance problems and visible damage.
The ideal temperature for a classic vehicle is below 70 °F, with humidity levels between 40% and 50%. If the storage location is too dry, this could crack interior elements like leather seats, or even certain types of paint on the exterior.
Clean It Inside and Out
After using a car or simply moving it to store it somewhere, removing any strange items from the interior that could cause damage with time is necessary. These items include food, clothing, pens, and heavy objects. Leaving heavy objects on top of a seat could damage the composition, creating holes or breaking the support systems.
Cleaning the outside and properly waxing the paint will add protection that will last a long time, especially when not exposed to outdoor conditions. Applying different protective techniques to clean the exterior, like protective wax, paint protection, headlight cream, and windshield covers, will positively impact your vehicle.
Protect the Battery
Car batteries are vulnerable and weak when not in use because they constantly recharge themselves when the engine is running. Turning the vehicle on at least once every four days is essential to ensure that various parts get the energy they need to stay active.
Older batteries have less resistance and require a little more maintenance, so storing a classic car requires more attention to detail and constant monitoring. Different weather conditions will affect your car’s battery in different ways; a viable solution for cold weather is to maintain your vehicle insulated with a small insulation blanket.
Tire Pressure
Tires are one of the main elements any car needs to deliver results, and keeping them in optimal conditions will prevent cracks and bumps. Tire pressure varies depending on your vehicle's size, year, and main usage, ranging between 28 to 36 psi.
If your tires lose air, they could throw your car off balance and increase the chances of system malfunction and tire imbalance. While doing your maintenance routine, ensure the tired have the appropriate pressure and fill them with air when needed.
Fluid Check
Fluids like oil, gas, and antifreeze could develop problems when they are not in use and have no movement around the vehicle. Without fluid movement, some gears could get stuck and cause engine problems and your car’s transmission. Stored vehicles might also suffer from leaks that could empty essential containers, causing them to dry up and staining the floor.
To prevent this from happening, you must turn on your car once every five days, allow it to warm up, move the steering wheel, and check for unusual smells. Changing your car fluids is essential; doing this at least once every six months will help you properly maintain your stored car.
