Car Storage in Fulham

Demand for car storage grows stronger by the day, and as such consumers are often faced with a few options when looking for a babysitter for their pride and joy. But many wonder just what separates the low end from the high end, and often find a lack of transparency and much small print in their search. To shine light on a few of the differences between budget and luxury car storage, we’ve put together some of the key differentiators below. Environment While this may seem an obvious place to start, it takes a huge amount of expertise, time and expense to create and, more importantly, maintain a controlled storage environment. As such the environments of lower level storage operations are often uncontrolled and susceptible to violent fluctuations in temperature, which can have a lasting impact on your pride and joy. Eradicating the chance of dampness is possible with expert car storage, but removing it once its taken a hold of your car is much harder… Access An area most consumers don’t think to consider initially when searching for storage, but more often an issue that arises once vehicle storage has begun. A high level of accessibility requires sufficient staffing, a well designed space and your car to be kept in on-the-button condition, which a top-level provider can offer. However, budget car storage options often fall short on this and require your car to be kept in storage long term and can even have additional charges for taking your car out of storage. Security A paramount concern for any consumer is security, and rightfully so. The level of investment required to achieve a totally secure facility as opposed to a somewhat secure facility is vast, and moreover creating and maintaining a covert operation takes even more time, money and dedication. There can be no corners cut when security is involved – it either is, or it isn’t! Beyond physical security, a top quality firm will also go to great lengths to ensure that the entire service remains totally confidential and the location, details and custodian of a car remain totally private – a huge attraction for many. Knowledgeable staff Just as important as the facility in which your car is kept is the individuals who look after it. Expertise never comes cheap, and regardless of your car’s value the piece of mind granted by experienced staff is priceless. A truly skilled team can also ensure your car is kept in perfect running order, calling on their own knowledge and a network of approved specialists when required to make sure your car is ready to go when you are – a service simply not available at budget outlets. Membership perks A top quality car storage provider will be by nature a respected, connected and influential voice in the industry, and consumers can benefit from this. A truly exceptional company will offer their clientele benefits beyond superlative storage, such as event access, connections to likeminded individuals and access to knowledge within and outwith their organisation. Be aware though, this level of service is only offered by the very best. Windrush Car Storage are industry leaders in car storage, offering an unrivalled service in the sector. Should you have any questions on our company, our ethos and our storage facilities, please do not hesitate to contact us.

There’s an art to keeping your classic car in optimum condition all year round. From mechanical must-dos to long term car storage, here’s how to prepare a classic car for winter storage. Every blissful summer of motoring must come to an end. The top-down coastal runs and pedal-tickling countryside cruises cannot last forever. When the nights draw in, road conditions worsen and journeys become a necessity rather than a pleasure, your thoughts will turn to keeping your pride and joy ticking over during its winter hiatus. Whether you’re an investor or enthusiast, It’s not enough to throw a tarpaulin over your vehicle and stow it in a damp garage secured with an old padlock. If you’ve ever wondered how to prepare a classic car for winter storage the right way, here’s our step-by-step guide. 1. Put in the groundwork When dusk falls early and the leaves pile up, you should not only drive more defensively, but give your classic a spot of TLC. To cope with the changing conditions, clean your wiper blades, then top up the washer fluid for both windscreen and headlights (choosing a brand strong enough that it won’t freeze in the system). Check your battery and tyre treads, too, and run your air conditioning periodically to keep the system ticking over. Taking these preventative measures now means that when it’s time to put your car into long term car storage, you won’t have a last-minute list of ailments. 2. Give your car a final wash From muck spun onto your windscreen to leaves clogging the wheelarches, winter will do everything in its power to stop your classic looking good. But the benefits of a thorough last wash and dry aren’t just skin-deep. Cleaning contaminants off the surface will ensure your vehicle’s finish doesn’t suffer over the next few months, while jet-washing alloy wheels will prevent salt corrosion during long term car storage. Of course, at Windrush, we’ll be happy to do this for you, with our professional washing, drying, valeting and detailing services ensuring your vehicle is shipshape when it goes into long term car storage. 3. Check your fluids Before you put your car to bed for the winter, pop the bonnet and remove the dipstick – if the oil is so dirty that you can’t see the metal through the liquid, you should change it before the big chill. Next, top your car up with high octane rated fuel to stop it degrading, add a top-quality fuel stabiliser, and make sure you’re all set for anti-freeze. It’s reassuring to know, too, that when you choose long term car storage with Windrush, we’ll personally check and optimise your fluids every 60 days. 4. Increase tyre pressure by 50% If you’re wondering how to prepare a classic car for winter storage, don’t overlook the tyres. It’s not necessary to remove them, but if your vehicle goes into long term car storage with a less-than-optimum PSI, you run the risk of flat spots, announced by a worrying vibration when you take your classic for its first spring run-out. Rest assured that when you come to Windrush for long term car storage, our experts will check your tyre pressures every 60 days, adjusting as necessary. 5. Choose the best long term car storage All your loving winter preparations will be for nothing if you let your classic rot in a mildewed garage with poor ventilation and negligible security measures. Instead, come to Windrush’s state-of-the-art car storage facilities in London and Oxfordshire, and discover how we can keep your vehicle at its best. At Windrush, we treat every car with a classic car storage solution that sets the industry standard. Following a thorough twelve-step induction process, we’ll lead your car to its own dehumidified, climate-controlled indoor storage bay, backed by 24/7 security, twice-daily checks, weekly battery and drip tray inspections, plus an expert maintenance checkover every 60 days. When winter bites, there’s simply no better long term car storage solution. To discover how Windrush long term car storage could help you this winter, get in touch today.  

Whether you’re pleasing yourself or attempting to attract a buyer, a quality vehicle deserves a deep clean. Here’s the Windrush guide on how to properly wash your car. The tools of car-washing have moved on from the hosepipes and sponges of your childhood. If you care enough about your pride and joy to find the best example, make the investment and adhere to the recommended maintenance programme, it is surely worth buying the equipment to achieve the professional finish that ensures admiring glances and might attract higher auction bids. If you’re wondering how to properly wash a car, rest assured that you don’t need expensive kit. A few key purchases will have your vehicle gleaming like new, and if you entrust your car to Windrush’s secure car storage services we will keep it that way. Before you learn the best washing technique – or sit back and relax as we take care of everything with our washing, drying and valeting services – here’s your shopping list. #1. Pressure Washer Not essential, but highly recommended, a pressure washer will blast stubborn debris from the car before handwashing begins. You have a choice between the cheaper ‘cold’ washers that spray tap-temperature water, or the more expensive ‘hot’ models that heat it up with an internal boiler. Follow your budget, but if you’re wondering how to properly wash a car before a sale or long-term car storage, our experts recommend the latter, for a more effective and pleasant cleaning process, especially in the colder months. Just be aware: while some hot washers can reach temperatures of 100 degrees-plus, 45 degrees is ample to soften grime without damaging your paint finish. #2. Pair of lambswool wash mitts The trusty yellow sponge might be an icon, but it can also trap dirt and grit, scratching paintwork in the process. At Windrush, we use and recommend a lambswool wash mitt (don’t settle for cotton or a synthetic blend). This unique material draws dirt particles into the deep pile, well away from the painted surfaces being washed. Plus, because this isn’t matted wool, the dirt easily rinses out. Meanwhile, the thick pile holds a huge amount of soapy water to lubricate and protect paint from potential swirls. When you bring your vehicle to Windrush – for long term car storage or our other services – you’ll see our specialist car washers using two mitts: one just for the upper body, and the second only for the really grimy jobs like sills and lower vehicle sections. #3. Pair of deep buckets   Two is the magic number here. You need the first bucket for wash suds and the second for the all-important rinse, which removes any grit particles that have been drawn into the deep pile of your wash mitt – instead of dragging them all over your vehicle. Translucent buckets are best, so you can see at a glance when dirt is building up and the water needs replacing. Meanwhile, if you’re wondering how to properly wash a car without risking scratches, the connoisseur’s choice are grit guards: a specialist mesh inserted in the bottom of both buckets, locking any debris safely into a baffled section. #4. Pair of wheel brushes (large/small) Most modern cars have alloy wheels: great for impressing when clean, but a slight nuisance when removing brake dust. To make the process easier, you’ll need two good-quality wheel brushes in varied sizes: a large one for the main face and a smaller, thinner type for between the spokes and the back of the wheel. Don’t be tempted to use your wash mitt on your wheels, unless you buy a dedicated one solely for this purpose. At Windrush Car Storage, our specialist car washing service uses four wheel brushes to achieve the best results, with size, shape and softness depending on the wheel type. #5. Good quality drying towel We’re often asked how to wash a car in winter but drying your vehicle with a premium towel afterwards is just as important, ensuring a beautifully smear and spot-free finish, with no moisture left behind. In fact, all year round, the soft and ultra-deep pile will be far more absorbent than traditional leather, capable of absorbing many times its own weight in water, while the ultra-soft fibres significantly reduce the risk of damaged paint. A generous-sized drying towel will let you dry most cars without needing to wring it out even once – and is machine-washable for safe use, time and time again. #6. Shampoo and alloy wheel cleaner Don’t be tempted to scrimp with paintwork-damaging household detergents. If the priority is how to properly wash a car, then a serious car wash shampoo is a must, especially when paired with a conditioner containing a simple rinse aid. Most car product brands sell both of these, and for just a few pounds, you can clean your vehicle’s surfaces gently, without stripping wax or paint sealant. Shampoo is fine for wheels, too, if you regularly wash your vehicle. But if your alloys have been a little neglected lately, invest in a good-quality, dedicated wheel cleaner: it’ll be much better for removing baked-on brake dust. If you go this route, choose a non-acidic cleaner, which will be kinder to your wheel surfaces: the label should give you the information you need. #7. Rely on Windrush for washing, drying and valeting/detailing For many of us, washing our car is a pleasure, representing a chance to spend a little time nurturing our vehicle and even spotting issues that might be missed during the day-to-day. But when life gets busy, turn to Windrush for our specialist washing, drying and valeting/detailing services. Whether your vehicle is with us for a dedicated deep clean, or long-term car storage, we’ll give it the full treatment inside and out – and return it to you ready to impress. To learn more about Windrush secure car storage and our other services, get in touch today.