Getting Your Car Ready to Store Outside

Storing your car outdoors for an extended amount of time can really take toll on the vehicle unless you take the proper precautions. Like anything that is outside and exposed to the elements, inactivity and the sun’s harmful UV rays you car will not be in as good of shape as when you left it. By taking a few simply steps you can protect your car so it looks and runs as good as the day you stored it.

The two things that are hardest on your car when it is stored outdoors are:

•          Direct sunlight
•          Precipitation - That includes rain, snow, sleet, fog, ice.

Sunlight can cause damage to your cars paint and rubber tires. Excess exposure to moisture can cause parts of your car to corrode and rust away.

The single best thing you can do to protect your car when storing it outside is to buy a high-quality car cover. Make sure the cover accounts for moisture, preferably by incorporating ventilation or by using a wicking "dri-fit" material, as covers that trap in moisture can cause more damage to your vehicle. There are many good options for car covers, here are two styles you can't go wrong with.

Covercraft Custom Fit WeatherShield HP Car Cover 

WeatherShield HP cover is using precise polymer placement and special chemistries, to place protective finishes inside the fabric, encapsulating the actual woven fibers to transform ordinary fabric into extra-ordinary

Covercraft Custom Fit WeatherShield HP Car Cover 

WeatherShield HP cover is using precise polymer placement and special chemistries, to place protective finishes inside the fabric, encapsulating the actual woven fibers to transform ordinary fabric into extra-ordinary

Even though some of these covers seem to be expensive, in the long run it will be a good investment. You will save more money than the cost of the cover by preventing the wear and tear that can lead to steep repair bills down the line. If your paint fades and you want a new paint job that will be 10x’s the cost of the cover. Then there are birds and their droppings. If their droppings land on your car it can eat through the clear coat and leave permanent spots on the car. Then there are chips and dings, if you are parked on an area with vehicle traffic or activity there will be dings or rock chips. You might not think it will happen but somehow they will end up there.  

If a cover isn’t in the card for you, there are a few other measures you can take to protect your car from mother nature.

As you know the sun can damage the car's paint, causing it to fade over time. One way to protect against the sun is by waxing it or applying a paint sealant. These accomplish the same thing but act a bit differently. Wax you should apply it every 45-60 days while paint sealant is goof for 90-120 days. Both products are available at SharpTruck and there are a few varieties to choose from. When you apply either a wax or sealant they will act as a protective coating against the sun as well as dirt and dust. Keep in mind that your car's paint isn't just there for aesthetic purposes, but serves an important function as well: protecting the body of your car from rust. If the paint is chipped or wore off there can be damage to the body which can be much more expensive to fix.

While you might not think of it over time sitting in direct sunlight will cause your tires to crack and lose their elasticity, making them dangerous to drive on. The best way to prevent sun damage to your tires is by keeping them covered and out of the sun. If you cannot cover them there are tire dressing products that you can apply to help keep your tires from cracking. There are water and silicon based dressing that will give them a “wet look”

If there's already damage to your paint, you'll want to touch that up before you store your car outside for a long period of time. Any scratches or pits, particularly any that have reached bare metal, are likely to worsen under pressure from the elements, and your car can begin to develop patches of rust.

These were some tips on what you can do to the vehicles exterior if you are storing it outside.