Since my wife's passing I've decided to put our Camaro in storage as I don't feel the motivation to do anything with it right now. I won't sell it as Gina loved the car but at this time it is only taking up space in my garage and gathering dust. I know the standard tricks (spray some oil in the cylinders, turn over a few times, remove battery, put on jackstands, dessicant in the passenger compartment) but does anyone have any other tips?

 

Sorry to hear about your wife. You might want to put some fuel stabilizer in the gas tank and some small damp-rid packets on the floor mats to soak up any moisture in the car.

 

- Store in as clean of condition as possible, inside and out.
Dirt is hygroscopic and can cause rust where it sits. A dirty finish can cause paint damage due to microscopic contaminants. And a clean interior will last longer too. This includes treating all the soft surfaces like the vinyl, plastic and rubber (including the seals). They will look good for years to come and help prevent cracking.
- Store out of the sun (inside if possible) with a breathable cover on it.
Sun damage over the long haul is one of your rides worst enemies.
- Do an oil change before storage. While oil itself never really goes bad, part of it's job besides lubrication, is to suspend and carry harmful chemicals and contaminants that are a byproduct of combustion. You don't want your ride sitting for a long time with that crap in your engine.
- Do a grease job.
Makes sure all suspension joint are well lubricated and water free. Water from driving in rain, over time, can cause damage sitting in the joints and bushings.
- If your in an area that freezes . . .
Be sure the coolant is fresh and effective. You don't want a cracked block.
Be sure to park it with the gas tank full and with fuel stabilizer in it. Even run the engine for a few minutes before parking it to get the stabilizer throughout the fuel system. A full tank will help to prevent frost (water) from forming inside the tank walls and eventually collecting in the fuel.
- Take any steps necessary if mice are a concern.
- Be careful if your going to run the engine periodically. You shouldn't need to if the storage time is roughly ~6 months or less. If you feel you need too, it must run long enough to bring the exhaust system up to temp. Warning this could be dangerous in an enclosed area due to CO emissions. The reason the exhaust needs to be hot is due to H2O being a by product of combustion. If the exhaust isn't hot enough to evaporate any moisture, it can collect in the low areas of the piping and muffler and cause them to rust out.

Those are a few items off the top of my head. I'm sorry to hear of your loss and hope the Camaro will stand as a symbol of good times and happy memories. Take care.

 

Very sorry to hear about your Wife, I am sure she is looking down and is glad you decided to keep the car.

 

Also very sorry to hear of the tragic loss of your wife. Regarding storage, Pontiac Vintage Services lists some suggestions:

http://www.phs-online.com/storageletter.html

Take care.

 

My sincere condolences, I cannot imagine...

As for your question, I think all of these are great tips...

I would recommend getting a car cover, avoid anything that will seal in the moisture, you want something to breath. Especially if your storing the car in a Garage or Barn its more for Dust protection... For my cars I actually get some el-cheapo covers from a local store called Meijers, its kind of like a Wal-Mart or K-Mart type store and the covers they carry are GREAT for storing cars INDOORS. and I think there about $30.00... I have been using them for 10 years without any problems.. But another car I bought came with a "Beverly Hills Custom Cover" I can only imagine the cover cost some bucks but it is horrible. In all honesty I think it traps moisture against the paint, its always cold to the touch (which would attract moisture)

Since you live in Flordia I would not think you would have many problems with freezing, but you do have alot of moisture. If you store your car in a barn or a garage (I would recommend a concrete floor over Dirt or Sand) I actually have an old box fan and set it on low. I let it circulate the air all winter long and it really helps with any condensation ( I live in the ever humid Michigan)...



John

 

sorry to hear about your wife.

my uncle stored his 86z in a custom build barn for the better part of twelve years. mice got ahold of the hood insulation, but that was about it. he didnt do anything special though, just drove it in an pulled the key out...

now my mother owns it. beautiful, but mechanically kinda rough.

anyways.I will be following this thread, i may be packing my car away here soon as well.

MEIJERS FTMFW!!!

 

I could have said that about Wal-Mart 20 years ago...

John

 

I would imagine your thinking of storing it indefinately....

In such a case, i would advise against storing on jack stands. If you want to raise the car, elevate the tires, but i wouldnt worry too much about loaded suspension over time.

If you store on stands however, the body will flex, and might end up that way if u leave it long enough.

I usually store my cars in the winter on stands (usually full framed) but i tried it with my firebird last winter (actually i was doing a tranny swap) and by the end of the winter, when it was back on all 4rs, i couldnt open the doors....

Took about 3 days for the car to "settle", but my passenger door stil sticks a little....

 

I usually set stands under the Axel, and then under the Front suspension, you SHOULD have a load on the springs as it can cause some issues.. DO not suspend the car without a load as it can cause some unusual issues. By using the normal suspension points you should not have any problems as it will have the same wieght distribution as normal.

Another thing that I have read is to remove the air from the tires while suspended, as it will help the rubber to age better than if they have a constant pressure.

BTW, I got Jack stands for $5 each at Tractor Supply Co.

John

 

Yes. Sorry i should have mentioned, when i was swapping out my transmission, the car was supported on loaded suspension in the front (on ramps) but because i was doing a tranny swap, i needed the rear axle to be unloaded, because part of it involved drive shaft and torque arm removal. So the car was supported on the body just before the control arms at the rear.

One more thing i just thought of, before you store it, apply a generous coating of silicone to all of your rubber seals. It comes in a tube, and is clear, and i think its intended to be a lubricant. But it "absorbs" in the various rubber seals, like weatherstripping, and keeps it from cracking. One application a year is good enough, even for daily use.

I would also spray some sort of lubricant on the door hinges and various "moving" components on the body to keep out any moisture.

 

Just noticed that info in your sig, my condolances to you as well...


Ed