Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE – When it comes to storing vintage vehicles, local car enthusiast Craig Green knows what he’s talking about.
The owner of about 15 classic vehicles, including Model T Ford, circa 1917, Green has his hands full each fall preparing his collection for the long winters in Maine. He offered a few tips for those new to storing vintage cars.
“Gas stabilizers put in gas tanks is always a good idea for cars – also good for lawn mowers, outboard motors, anything like that,” said Green.
When it comes to batteries, Green said it’s not necessary to remove one if the car will only be stored for the winter. Longer than that, he said it’s a good idea to take the battery out of the vehicle.
“If you’re planning short-term storage – say for the winter – you probably don’t need to take the battery out of your car. If you do leave it hooked up in the car, you probably should buy a battery maintainer that trickle charges. One of those runs about $25 but will be well-worth the investment,” said Green.
For long-term – a year or more – Green said car owners should remove the battery and jack the vehicle up.
“Jacking the vehicle up helps preserve the tires by taking the weight of the vehicle off of them. You also may want to fog the motor – fogging oil is used in cylinders and areas to prevent rust from building up in the motor,” he said.
Keeping pests, such as squirrels and mice, out of your vehicle can be done by using a simple laundry product.
“Dryer sheets not only keep your vehicle smelling nice, they deter animals. Moth balls are too potent and leave a lasting smell in your car even when the weather warms up,” said Green.
Your storage area should be a dry area to help prevent rust.
“A heated garage is preferable, and a wood garage is better than a metal one because with metal you get condensation. The best non-heated building to store collector cars would have a wood or hottop floor, rather than concrete; concrete sweats and creates moisture under the car, causing them to rust,” he said.
If a storage unit isn’t available, Green advised owners to never store their vehicle on the bare grass.
“Put a plastic barrier on the ground, then drive the car onto it. Put a knit car cover that repels water over the vehicle so it can breath, then if you want to loosely put a plastic tarp over with spacers for air to flow around (the vehicle), that should be fine,” Green said.
“You don’t want to wrap it up,” continued Green. “You want it (the car) the be able to breath.”
Green said storage differs depending on whether you’re looking to do it long-term or just for the winter. “Winter storage is not as big a deal. Stabilizing and maintaining the battery are the two primary things to do,” said Green. “Ideally, if you have an old car you’re trying to store, the best thing is to start and run it once a month or so – move it a little bit if you can – and make sure to change the oil in the spring, to prevent condensation issues.”
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
CRAIG GREEN, in the baseball cap, discusses a 1929 fire truck with a visitor to the old firehouse on Church Street during a barbecue held earlier this year. Green’s 1917 Model T Ford, pictured at right, also drew much attention at the event sponsored by the Presque Isle Historical Society.
