Preventing surface rust in unheated garage

[W117Monte]

My garage is attached to my house, but only on one side. I noticed last year that my wheels and other parts had some light surface rust on them after winter. The garage is basically 5-10 degrees warmer than the outside and im sure just as damp. Does anyone have any tips to prevent the dampness and surface rust? possibly parking the car ontop of plywood would help?

Thanks

[ZLP955]

I too have an unheated garage, and have found that the best way to limit (if not completely eliminate) conditions that favor rust is to improve airflow; I have a couple of oscillating fans hooked up to timers so they come on daily, and then open up the doors and windows whenever conditions are milder.

[jannes_z-28]

There are humidity controls that you can activate the fans with. If you have a lot of humidity the fans will run 24/7.

Other options is a car tent with ventilation, http://www.carcapsule.com/

Jan

[Salvatore]

I park my car on a piece of marine carpet cut to fit the one garage bay I use. I also use Rem oil, Boeshield T-9 or WD-40 on all unpainted, natural finish parts, floors etc. on my car. I just keep spraying and wiping and that seems to help all year.

[Hemicolt]

If you can't install a heat pump, a dehumidifier works good for pulling moisture out of the air. Gibbs Coat is a good product for protecting bare metal. It doesn't leave an oily residue.

[Billohio]

I was checking out the capsule too. Might keep the cat off too! Also ran across a car bag that works on moisture

[XXXGoldL34M20]

I have a 3 car garage with no heat in the winter, my large dehumidifier takes care of all my problems, also the large rubber floor covers I bought from the price club helps keep the humidity down. No rust <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif It also helps that I have insulated garage doors and spray foamed walls and ceiling. If it is -20 outside it is 40 degrees in my garage and that's with no heater.

[wheelhop]

I've got a car capsule and think it is a great way to keep the air circulating and protect the car from varmints. Used it last winter in an unheated situation and it worked great.

[WILMASBOYL78]

Important things are:

keep the air moving..
remove humidity..
good vapor barrier on the floor..
de-humidity packets inside the car along with dryer sheets..
bare metal protected with whatever product you like...

I would tell you about our car jackets...but Sammy will start in about &quot;sleeping bags&quot; so we won't go there <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/rolleyes.gif

wilma

[68l30]

Carjacket.Been using it for 20+ winters......you take it out the same way it went in. I also use Plywood on the floor and have ceiling fans running in the summer to keep the air moving. I've never had an issue. Dry dry dry...


BIG

[mockingbird812]

<span style="font-size: 11pt">Good info guys. Looking for a project out here in OH and its funny how I am starting to pay attention to these posts nowadays! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/hmmm.gif</span>

[SS427]

On top of all the other things to do put a GOOD coat of wax on everything including the chrome and the Boe-Shield or equivalent the bare steel, aluminum and zinc parts which will keep them from oxidizing.

[WILMASBOYL78]

I have a better idea <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/scholar.gif...

just keep driving your car fast everyday...the rust and dirt won't have a chance to take hold <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/3gears.gif

wilma

[mockingbird812]

...and just what is the speed of rust that must be exceeded in order to keep it from taking hold, oh wise one! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/scholar.gif <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/naughty.gif

[WILMASBOYL78]

Rust development is directly proportional to vehicle speed...
example: if you drive around at 20mph it will only take 20 minutes for rust to form...but if you go 100mph it will take 5 times as long.

So, drive fast and live rust free.. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif

[mockingbird812]

<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/haha.gif <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/Charley.gif

[m22mike]

Or move to AZ. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/naughty.gif

[SS427]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: m22mike</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Or move to AZ. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/naughty.gif </div></div>

Amen to that!

[Bill Pritchard]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SS427</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: m22mike</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Or move to AZ. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/naughty.gif </div></div>

Amen to that! </div></div>

...and an Amen to the Amen!

[mockingbird812]

As I said before........ <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/Charley.gif