OK, I know you may kick me off the forum for this, but I have to confess that my Jag doesn't have a garage. She lives out, under an expensive Noah coverall cover, in all weather.


It's been fine, but the recent cold snaps here have resulted in the cover being literally frozen onto my car! I'm leaving it be until it thaws, and if we have a sunny day I'll take it off to let everything dry, but I'm wondering how to best manage a car that lives under a cover. Should I uncover it some time? After a rain? Any tips appreciated! - Gina

 

I'm curious about this as well. Has no one yet invented a space saving storage bag large enough to drive your car into? Suck the air out, and it would seem to be a decent way to protect your car from the elements.

 

there are outdoor storage options such as Carcoon https://www.carcoon.com/ or the car capsule Outdoor CarCapsule

 

I too have parked my XJS in my driveway for this winter as my 103 year old house has no garage and I bought the car quite late this last season.
But I drive my car about once every other week. Where I live does not get anywhere near as much snow nor the severe cold of the rest of Canada.
I am using a top of the line car cover and here is my experience.

I find that a small amount of dust does blow up under the cover and collect on the hood/bonnet.
My cover is water resistant but not water proof so rain does go through and will get to the car.

My solution for this winter will be to remove the cover at least once a week and wipe down the car.
I also start the car even though I do have a battery conditioner plugged in. This is more for oil, fuel & coolant circulation than for charging the battery.

The one thing I have noticed is that when it is windy the cover is moving across the paint. I am very worried about the scratches that are the result. So, at the end of autumn I made sure that I put on a real thick coat of paste wax. I used a clear hard wax and basically spit shined my entire car. I hope that in the spring no scratches got through this protective layer. I'll remove it in the spring.

Next summer I will build a lean-to for the car. I am using 2X4's in sections for the roof with support on one side from a 6' tall fence, and legs on the other side. This lean-to will have corrugated fiberglass panels for a roof. Each section using one panel. The sections will bolt together.
This entire lean-to has cost me $138.00cdn for materials. Basically 24-8ft. 2X4's, 10-24" wide fiberglass panels, and a lot of screws. My labor is free.

I'll continue to use the car cover but the lean-to will keep rain, wind and snow collecting on the cover to a minimum.

The entire lean-to can be taken apart panel by panel and stored over the summer.

 

Please don't start the engine unless you're going to take the car for a good long drive. Sitting idling does far more harm than good.

In over 40 years of playing with cars and bikes etc, I've never seen a cover that I thought was suitable for long term outdoor storage. They all leak and they all move around.

I'd get a temporary garage like this:

Cover-Tech Inc. - Portable Garage, Instant Portable Garage, Portable Carports, Shelters, Storage

 

Collinite 476 and Waxoyl. If its going to be outside, irrespective of the cover, both will be your friend.

 

Thank you Mikey,

Yes, I know about extended idling. I do not let the car sit at an idle.

 

Sadly, I think these would be considered temporary structures, which are prohibited in my neighborhood. Plus, I don't have electric that can reach for a fan to inflate them :-(.