911 Sits Outide In Rain - What To Do?

[jyl]

It is starting to rain here in Portland and I gather it won't stop for a while.

Meanwhile, the Carrera is not being garaged, because the garage is full of boxes. It is getting driven more often, about 3-4X week now. The car doesn't have any notable leaks.

So, what is better for the car? (1) Sit uncovered in the rain, or (2) sit under a breathable all-weather car cover (I have a Cover King "Storm Shield" cover, bought from PP).

Any other tips for keeping a non-garaged car nice-looking and reliable in rainy climes? I've been spraying the ignition/electrical bits under the decklid w/ WD-40.

Thanks.

[svandamme]

wouldn't bother with a cover if it's outside, it'll do more harm then good, even if it is breathable material...rain will wash off the dirt..covers will trap dirt...

get rid of the boxes if you are worried, but realistically , it's an 89 , it's galvanized... if seals are good, it will stay dry...

it's all up to you how much you need to do to keep yourself from worrying...

[Jim Richards]

John, you know it's best to throw those boxes outside and park the Carrera where it belongs.

But if you must leave it out, and it's already wet, leave it uncovered.

edit: Ha! Stijn beat me to it.

[cantdrv55]

My SC was left outside for 2 yrs, 24X7, until I found room for it in the garage. I used the Stormshield as well. No problems with it at all, no mold or mildew build up. My car is a targa so I wasn't going to let it get rained on for fear of puddling inside.

[StevoRocket]

Take the boxes out and cover them with the car cover and some extra plastic sheeting which is cheap!
My 88 3.2 sat outside and we had a mamoth rainstorm - 1 inch of water all over the floor - alarm box soaked, = new alarm 400 pounds sterling.

Then there's the bird dung - if its left on to long it eats the paint leaving permanent marks, then there's the UV light in the sunlight fading the paint, then there's the fact that the rain is acid and eats at the paint - need I go on?

I tried a cover - when it gets windy it whips and marks the paintwork.

That's why the 911 is in the Garage and my boxes are in a neighbours garage.

Plus point - you don't have to wash or polish very often!

[the]

This is a good all weather cover that I've used:

weathershield HD

Light weight, but good water protection and breathable.

If I had to park a car outside, I would use some kind of cover. The sun and weather is destructive to the paint and interior over time, a good cover can keep the car looking new for years (decades, even!) where otherwise it would get faded.

As far as rain, if it were already raining, I would leave the cover off. Maybe throw something over the engine lid. But if you have the cover on and it starts raining, I'd leave it on.

[Paul K]

Storage unit for the boxes? Or if you have off-street parking, maybe one of these...



Cheers,

Paul.

[fastpat]

Since you have a coupe you just need something in the windshield at least, over all windows is better. I think there are "Mini-covers" that do that.

I have a ruined Targa top that went from very good condition last year to embarassingly ugly now, all from sitting outside sans cover. I'm sending the top off for a full recover this week.

But, as others have said, garaging is much better.

[tabs]

In my last house I built an extra 750 sq ft garage just so all my cars could be housed in doors. Light is the great destroyer...of interiors and paint..

[928ram]

Tabs has the clear winner - more garage!

Aside from that, I assume the boxes are a temporary situation, thus a temporary car storage seems like the best solution.

How about a well built storage shed in the back yard? There are companies who build/deliver/erect these all over the place as well as the Lowes and Depot ones. Move the boxes to the shed until they are finally unpacked then use the space for a spare workshop and a place to keep the lawn equipment away from the cars.