Winter storage

Drifter789 · Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2004 3:03 pm Post subject: Winter storage

Need some help/suggestions about storing my 68 El Camino for the winter in the wonderful state of Michigan. My biggest problem is that I don't have a garage or access to one. Over the summer I bought the car at such a great price that I didn't even think about where to store it. I know that I need to lift it up off the ground as not to ruin the new tires that came with it and maybe covering it with a tarp, but can you think of anything else???

Am open to any suggestions...Mother Nature dumped 5 inches of snow on us.
Thanks Dave

Would post pics if I only knew how.
Can e-mail them upon request.

a73elkyss · Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2004 4:13 pm Post subject:

Hey Dave. First off, welcome to ECC / NECOA. This is THE best place on the 'net for Elky owners.

Check out the "search" feature of the forums. It works great. I just put in "winter AND storage" and a few hits come up from previous posts.

I added a few comments to this post. It has a few good ideas. See if it helps.

My opinion is not to raise the elky off the tires and let them hang. You might get different opinions here, but if your just putting it away for six months, I think it will be fine.

As far as a tarp, I would be carefull on that. If the tarp is not a real outdoor car cover, the inside of the tarp (side toward the body) might be to rough and scrape up the paint. It might not let the moisture through it and actually hold the damp moisture inside. This could cause more rot and mildew.

If you need help posting pictures, let me know, I might be able to help.

Hope it helps.
_________________
JW - NECOA #768 2011 El Camino SS - http://elcaminocentral.com/users/a73elkyss/.
Watch for the 6th gen Elco's

86 choo-choo · Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2004 7:15 pm Post subject: elky storage

I had a 79 caddy Eldo I had to store outside here in Minn so I know what your going thru-- I put down a tarp then put kitty litter on the tarp --this helps with moisture from the bottom ''side'', then I drove the car on the tarp. I also put the car on blocks. I use Sta-bilt some use Sea Foam to stablize the gas. Covering the car is the real problem. The problem I had when I covered the car was that I had the wrong cover, if the car got sunlight on it or a big tempeture change condensation would form between the car and tarp(marking the paint) So get a good cover. Dont forget the moth balls under the car and inside, they do smell bad but mice and other varmits hate that smell. GOOD LUCK ----- now lets go ice fishing........NOT,

speedy · Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2004 9:59 pm Post subject: winter storage

Hi Drifter789, I will give you my 2 cents worth. I have owned my 68 Elky for 15 years or so and even though it is garage stored and only driven maybe one week out of a year, I still take a few precautions to store it every year.

I would get a decent car cover that does not scratch the paint while in place. That is if the paint is in good shape and needs protected. Then I would use a large tarp to completly cover the car with. The tarp will keep out the elements of mother nature while the car cover protects the paint job. I would also make a habit of sweeping the tarp off after it snows, or removing the cover on real nice days to dryout. I would also wash the cars underside real good and blow out or vacuum out the kick panel vents. Leaves and dirt can collect in this area causing unnecessary rust when it traps in moister. A good coat of wax is a plus to keep paint nice. I would remove the battery from the car, make sure antifreeze is at a good -35 degree or more and I would leave the oil in the motor and be sure to change it before running car again. I run the fuel out of mine each year before storing. I use a rubber plug in my tail pipes to keep out unwanted rodents. I cover my engine with an old piece of canvas to futher detract any rodents from making my engine their home. The soap idea for the inteior sounds pretty good, I'll have to try that myself.

Lots of Luck with your new toy
Speedy