3 Tips To Keep Your Dad's Antique Car Safe In Self-Storage
If your beloved father passed away and left behind an antique car, you may want to place it in self-storage to keep it safe. But if you don't know how to prepare the car for storage, you can inadvertently damage the interior and exterior of the vehicle. Here are three tips to keep in mind when storing your father's antique car.
Store the Car Indoors
Vintage cars of all types are vulnerable to weather damage, especially if they're rare or limited editions that have custom paint jobs and trims. The fabric of your dad's seats, floorboards, headliner, and trunk can develop mold and mildew in wet or moist conditions. In addition, the car's exterior and frame are susceptible to paint damage and rust. You can store away the car successfully by renting an enclosed storage unit.
An enclosed storage unit as seen at sites like http://www.getepicstorage.com has a number of features that may protect your dad's car. But you must be sure to inquire about these features before you rent your unit. One of the most important features is a climate-controlled environment.
A storage facility maintains its units' indoor temperatures between 55-85 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on the types of items stored inside the units. If you don't know what temperature protects your dad's classic car from rust, mold and paint damage, you may want to speak with an antique car dealer for advice. A number of antique cars have thick, iron frames and engine parts, depending on the make, model and year manufacturers produced them.
For example, cars built in the 1950s formed rust on the engine and frame because they lacked a protective primer or coating on these parts. If you don't know if your father restored the car with a protective barrier, it's a good idea to have the car inspected by an expert prior to storing it.
Detail the Car Inside and Out
You may want to detail the car inside and out before you store it. Detailing the windows, paint and engine may keep the car in prime condition while it's in storage. Although the climate-controlled environment helps protect your dad's car from moisture and heat, dirty windows and oily engine parts can damage the paint on the car's frame and the appearance of the engine over time. In addition, old dirt, grime and fluids may not come off right away when you want to drive or use the car in the future.
There are some things you can do when you detail the car, including:
- Using a soft, chamois or tack cloth to remove the dirt and grime from the car's metal and glass structures, such as the bumper, headlights, hood, and side mirrors
- Wiping away oil, transmission fluid and radiator fluid from the engine
- Polishing the car's exterior frame with a wax designed especially for classic cars
If you notice stains on the fabric of the car's seats, flooring and headliner, you may want to have an antique auto body specialist remove them. Using the wrong cleaners or fabric stain removers can damage the fabric permanently, especially if the products contain bleach, ammonia or other harsh chemicals. After you detail the car and get it ready for storage, purchase a reliable antique car insurance policy for your father's classic car.
Insure the Car
Although your storage facility provides protection against theft and vandalism, you may still need antique car insurance for your dad's car. The insurance may provide coverage that protects the car from extensive damages caused by snowstorms, hurricanes and other natural disasters. If you're not sure about the coverage you need, ask your storage facility. The representatives may offer assistance with finding the coverage you need through the facility's optional insurance protection plans.
Storing your dad's classic car isn't something to take lightly. If you have additional questions or concerns about your storage options, contact your facility today.
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