At Windrush, we treat every client as an individual and care for each vehicle entrusted to us based on its unique qualities and quirks. From exacting electric vehicle storage to caring for the latest supercars, our expert team adapts our service based on the car in front of us. But there are some guiding principles and essential processes that apply to almost all vehicles – and here we set out the ten vital steps we follow to make Windrush classic car storage the UK’s finest.
Wash the vehicle thoroughly
Essential for removing all contaminants before your car’s big sleep. Your car washing kit should include two deep buckets, a large/small wheel brush, non-scratch lambswool mitts, shampoo and alloy wheel cleaner, a good-quality towel and a quality heated pressure washer set to around 45 degrees.
Dry the vehicle carefully
Some drivers choose to air-dry their vehicle while others favour a rubber blade or leather chamois, but at Windrush, our long term car storage team has found the best results come from using specialist microfibre towels to pat-dry the bodywork. In any case, you should use this opportunity to make note of any damages and repair any scuffs and scratches.
Vacuum the interior
At this point, take a moment to run a powerful vacuum cleaner around the cockpit, rolling back the seats on their rails, removing any debris that could let down your car’s appearance and lifting out the footwell mats to give them extra attention.
Wax the bodywork
Waxing your car isn’t just a cosmetic luxury, doing this will actively protect and feed the paintwork. If you have time to apply two coats, so much the better.
Change the engine oil and filter
Acidic contaminants in old oil are a menace during long term car storage, causing corrosion of inactive internal surfaces as their protective coating is worn down. The longer oil hangs around, the worse it is for your car, as the damage-preventing additives become less effective. All of this is avoided by an oil and filter change before long term car storage.
Check the antifreeze
This step might seem unnecessary if you put your car into storage over summer, but antifreeze can in fact lose strength even in temperature-controlled conditions and that’s how issues arise. Leave yourself a reminder to check the strength of the antifreeze and you’ll prevent freeze damage to your engine.
Overinflate the tyres
Driving is very different to storing and you’ll need to adapt your tyre pressure to suit. At Windrush, we’ve found a good benchmark to prevent flat spotting is 50psi – you’ll find more detailed advice here.
Apply tyre preserver
Even with the tyres overinflated, it’s essential to keep the rubber pliable during your car’s extended break from the road. When applying tyre preserver, pay particular attention to the sidewalls, as a generous coating will nourish this vulnerable area and prevent perishing.
Use a battery conditioner
Batteries are a key consideration at Windrush long term car storage – that’s why we check the condition of yours every week during extended stays. If you’re storing your own car at home, it’s essential to use a battery conditioner to prevent the lead-sulphur deposits that will cut its capacity to hold charge.
Apply a car cover
The finishing touch to protect the bodywork. At Windrush, we protect our resident vehicles with a breathable cover: this is by far the best option as it allows any remaining moisture beneath the cover to escape and evaporate.
Long term car storage in London and Cotswolds
At Windrush, our renowned long term car storage welcomes supercar, EV, modern and classic car owners. Having started with the process set out above, our solution continues with ongoing maintenance and checkovers. Whether you drop off at our state-of-the-art classic car storage in London or the Cotswolds, rest assured you’ll return to find your vehicle in the form of its life.
From expert EV storage to the UK’s safest home for supercars, the Windrush team is ready to assist you. Email us on info@windrushcarstorage.co.uk
