For car collectors, acquiring the vehicles is only the first part in the process. Because classic cars have withstood years of age, properly taking care of them and storing them is imperative to ensure the cars stay in pristine condition for years to come.
At Garage Condos of OK, we know exactly the steps you need to follow to keep your collectable cars looking good as new for as long as possible. Our luxury storage units were built to keep even the oldest of cars in perfect condition. Here are the steps to take to ensure your collectable cars remain in working condition:
1. Before Storing – Fill the Tank and Change the Oil
The fuller your gas tank is, the lower the chance for excess moisture to build up, causing your tank to rust. So, before your classic car can safely rest in storage, you should fill your tank with gasoline and add a fuel stabilizer to prevent the fuel from hardening.
It’s also good practice to make sure that you have changed the oil and the filter to avoid rusting. You should also remove the spark plugs and lubricate the cylinders if it will be sitting in storage for a long period of time.
2. Wash the Car
Making sure your car is clean and waxed before you store it can ensure your car does not scratch from dust and debris. In addition, if the inside of the car is left dirty before it is stored, it can attract unwanted pests. After cleaning and waxing the car, you can also block the exhaust by using aluminum foil to continue to keep pests out.
To take it a step further, you can add a box of baking soda to the inside of the car to absorb any smells and cover your car with a cloth car cover to avoid condensation and rusting.
3. Fill the Tires
When you are about to store a classic car for a long period of time, maintaining the tires should be a priority. When left sitting for long periods of time, they are more susceptible to damage and can be expensive to replace on a regular basis.
Fill the tires to the max PSI, and consider relieving the weight from the tires by jacking the car up on jack stands while in storage.
4. Check the Battery and Fluids
If you are planning on storing your classic car, but still planning on starting it or driving it occasionally, be sure to check the battery and fluids before it goes into storage. Every so often, to make sure it is not corroding. If you have a power source in your storage unit, you can even invest in a battery tender to keep the battery functioning longer.
If you do not plan on starting or driving the stored car, remove the battery completely. Clean out any corrosion, and store the battery in a climate controlled area.
5. Properly Store the Car
Now that you’ve taken all the necessary precautions before storing the car, it’s time to choose where you will be storing it – arguably one of the most important factors in keeping a classic car in perfect condition.
While keeping your classic cars in an inexpensive outdoor storage unit or shed might seem financially appealing, this is not what is best for your car. The ideal storage space should be clean, dark, dry, and temperature controlled.
At Garage Condos of OK, we have created the perfect completely owned storage space for your classic car, and have even left room for you to make your own customizations. Not only are our units completely temperature controlled and built with state-of-the-art concrete, they are also equipped with security systems and gated entry. On top of that, you can completely customize your luxury unit however you want. To read more about how Garage Condos of OK creates the perfect storage space for classic cars, read our car collectors page.
For more information on how to own a Garage Condo of OK for your classic car collection, contact us today.
