Garage the car or not?

[R W]

Reading on other threads on the advantages of keeping a car in a garage or not.I have a 2001, 210 & due to working away 7 & 8 weeks at a time the car spends most of its time in the garage.The garage by the way is only maybe 5yrs old so should have a damp coarse.When I bought the car almost 3yrs ago it seemed fairly rust free.Now it seems to be rusting in pannel joints & sharp pannel edges that mabe the paint wasnt applied thick enough.I used to wash & dry the car before storing it, but stopped that as it would take ages to dry in the garage & I convinced myself it wasnt a good idea.I am now thinking the car may be better standing outside.As the previouse threads say,the wind & air can circulate & keep the car dry.Any thoughts on the advantages or disadvantages would be appreciated.

 

[jberks]

The best storage is a car port - with plenty of airflow. A garage is next, ideally a slightly draughty one - so you could look at adding some ventilation if its well sealed.
You could also put a fabric cover on the car. This helps to keep any moisture off as well as keeping it clean. Worked well for some tools in my workshop anyway - put a tea towel over the top and they didn't corrode. Removed it and they went rusty.

 

[rf065]

I think you've answered your own question, if the garage is damp & the car is not drying, it is the perfect place for rust to start.

If you really want to use the garage, you have to ensure it is watertight, preferably have the walls & roof insulated, and have decent air flow through it. Biggest problem is the expense, as it is only for a car & not for living in.

Russ

 

[television]

I put a 1000 gauge plastic down and then these tiles from Sweden,,cost me £500 but to me its worth it

But as above,,do not put it away wet, as Jberks a car port is the best,,if you do use a cover, the it must breath or you must put a damp membrane down,,houses built after 1975 should have one under building regs

 

[R W]

Thank you for your replies. I think the problem is as you say is airflow. Or lack of it. There is no draughts or airflow to dry any dampness. I do cover the car with some cotton sheets. The car is Waxoiled underneath but one area I have noticed the rust or paint flaking is the under side edges/panel joints of the bonnet. I should maybe think of some ways to create some ventilation & create some airflow in the garage. With this in mind an older garage with a few draughts would probably be better.
On another subject, but still rust. I have noticed rust starting at the very front lip of
the roof. Just above the windscreen. Its hard to say if it originates from under the screen. I have read about other peoples cars having the same problem. Any ideas if Mercedes would consider repairing this or do they consider its possibly untreated stone chips. Thanks again for your replies.

 

[television]

If the car is not in daily use,,then you could consider a de humidifier, it will run for a while when you first put the car in ,but will settle down. Mine will take 2 liters of water out of the air in 24 hours and then settle down,,not expensive to run

 

[stumpy]

If the car is not in daily use,,then you could consider a de humidifier, it will run for a while when you first put the car in ,but will settle down. Mine will take 2 liters of water out of the air in 24 hours and then settle down,,not expensive to run

Thumbing through the Bentley spares book I came across a car tent thingee. Anyone tried them? Looks like a big blow up condom you drive into and it keeps your car warm and dry.

 

[television]

Thumbing through the Bentley spares book I came across a car tent thingee. Anyone tried them? Looks like a big blow up condom you drive into and it keeps your car warm and dry.

Yes I knew some people that used them when I was in the RR enthusiast club.. they are very good and work

 

[rf065]

Thumbing through the Bentley spares book I came across a car tent thingee. Anyone tried them? Looks like a big blow up condom you drive into and it keeps your car warm and dry.

I saw something like that advertised, had built in fans & filters, to ensure only the purist air got near the car!

Russ

 

[stumpy]

I don't think I'll get this one past the Financial Steering Committee though

 

[jibcl500]

Carcoon I think made something like this, I wanted one for my 911 opps.

jib

 

[rf065]

These start at £399

http://www.carcovershop.co.uk/airchamber-protection.asp

Russ

 

[mercman_1]

Garage or not

I have a 1998 SLK230 always kept it in the garage and it is rust free,The wife has a 2001 C200k (W203)always kept outside, the rear wings around the arches and the front wings where they meet the front panel all blistered with rust,Fortunetly they were all repaired under warranty in 2006,I think its more down to bad preparation before painting than anything else when it came back from repair you could see all the edges had been treated with something prior to being painted.
Bob.T.

 

[R W]

I like the de-humidifier idea of Malcolm’s. The complete garage could be
de-humidified.The car tent is probably more efficient, but only for the one vehicle & often there is 2 or 3 cars in there. Looked on Machine Mart website & they
do one that may be suitable for 240 pounds. If possible I would need to have a drain
connected to it as I could not depend on the wife to keep emptying the water bottle.
Anyone have any thoughts on the rust on the front lip of the roof, is this a common
rust area that Mercedes may repair.

 

[television]

Rust on the front lip of the roof is not common,,have you asked your dealer about it

 

[R W]

I will not be back to Uk till Xmas,if the dealers are open while I am at home I will pay them a visit & ask them about it.If they are not open it will be Feb before I can take it to them.

 

[FIBAMAN]

De humidifier as Malcolm says is the answer, moisture + air(oxygen) = rust, remove moisture and you will greatly reduce the potential for rust.
It should also potentially prevent mould and mildew from forming inside the car if you leave windows cracked open slightly.
Bought a dehumidifier from a company in Manchester recently which has an external drain facility as well as float cut out for reservoir for about £95. Exhaust air is also warmed and recirculated.

 

[wireman]

Go for a cocoon (had my roller in one) they work very well and are energy efficient, a dehumidifier in a garage will be running 24/7.

 

[FIBAMAN]

Go for a cocoon (had my roller in one) they work very well and are energy efficient, a dehumidifier in a garage will be running 24/7.

They are fitted with humidistat so cut in and out like a fridge only it is monitoring humidity not temp. so once dryness level setting is reached, it stops.
It will all depend on how much outside air gets in.