Build an extension on the garage!!!
But in the event that this is not going to happen soon then what you are doing
is probably OK. Long term storage under a waterproof cover (or tarp) is bad
because once moisture in it cannot get out. As you suggest, this may ruin the
paint but the real culprit is that moisture retention promotes tin worm. The
Technalon primarily keeps sunshine and environmental stuff (natural, avian and
man made) off the car while allowing moisture to pass both ways. As long as
you are "airing" the car out on a regular basis then it will be fine.
Dr. Doug
69 C Rdst
69 C GT
69 B Rdst
76 B Rdst
3 car garage
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-mgs@autox.team.net On Behalf Of BobMGT@aol.com
Sent: Monday, June 22, 1998 12:49 AM
To: mgs@autox.team.net
Subject: More Car Cover Gripes
When I bought my MGB I thought a car cover would keep it dry. Boy was I wrong!
My garage is only big enough for one car and the TD has seniority. I bought
the fancy "Technalon" cover for the B. I now know that terms like "rain
resistant" and "breathable" really mean "leak like a sieve". After a hard rain
the cover looks like a wet dish rag and the cockpit and boot fill with water.
Even if the car didn't leak, what's the point of the car cover if the car
still gets wet? (In all fairness, the cover will stop morning dew and a light
sprinkle.) In deparation, I bought a 9X12 water proof tarp from the hardware
store and put that over the car cover. I use those short bungee cords with the
hooks to hold the tarp down. This is working very well so far. The tarp isn't
long enough to cover the entire car, but it's keeping everything but the nose
of the car bone dry. The interior and boot are delightfully desert like, even
after a very hard rain with high winds. As an added bonus, I found that I can
leave the top down. The bungees hold the tarp taunt, and it forms a nice ramp
down from the windshield. The rain just runs down the ramp. I plan to leave
the top down all summer. (I don't drive it on rainy days.) Now I've heard that
waterproof covers are supposed to ruin the paint, but I'm hoping this only
applies to damp long term storage. My car is a daily driver (at least on dry
days).
Anyone else have any tips for fighting the elements in an outdoor MG?
Bob Donahue (Still stuck in the '50s)
EMAIL - BOBMGT@AOL.COM
52 MGTD - under DIY restoration NEMGTR #11470
71 MGB - AMGBA #96-12029, NAMGBR #7-3336
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