Straight away I am going to apologise if this has already been covered... I've got a 1978 Bay in really good condition and want to keep it that way. I did get a rental on a garage however it isn't quite big enough. :-( So for the time being the van is on the drive until I can sort out something a little cosier. What would people recommend in terms of protection from the elements in the interim? Should it be covered or un-covered? I've seen a cover on JustKampers - J29370 - Is this recommended for outdoor use? Is there anything else that someone might recommend?? If there is someone near the Caldicot area with a big garage that would also be wonderful ;-)
Park it on hardstanding rather than mud / grass. I covered mine for a few years pre-garage. You do need to let it dry out pretty regularly as the covers trap moisture. Loads of people don't cover theirs.
I did the whole cover thing over a few winters. It was only a cheap JK one so everytime I took it off the van was soaked. I now don't bother. You'll be more likely to drive it if you don't have to pull a cover off it each time.
If you are going to cover it, a breathable one is more expensive but better. +1 for the hard standing, stop moisture rising upwards.
Also, with a cover, span the van with 2 or 3 lengths of wood, wrapped in cloth, under the cover to keep it from touching the van too much. This helps the air to go through it easier.
We had a pro tech breathable soft lined cover.... it caused loads of issues, microblistering of paint, condensation to name a couple. Problem is that the cover gets wet which stops it breathing, trapping moisture inside.. you get the same effect with a "cheapy" jk one The other big issue is that they flap, the protech had 5 straps side to side and 2 front to rear yet it moved a lot in the wind causing lots of scuffs to the paint/ bumpers. Until we found dry storage ours spent its life uncovered with a dehumidifier in it and was better for it
Thanks for the tips folks.. I think I'm going to have to keep an eye on it! With all this rain we are having, it is turning me into one of those over-protective parents...
The covers will stop water, or a good amount of it, from getting past window seals etc, but even the best covers will sweat.
Covers cause condensation to be trapped and encourage the dreaded mould, which is a health hazard and difficult to get rid of. I park mine in all weathers on the driveway and always keep it aired and drive it of course. Before winter, I clean the body and give it a heavy waxing so the water runs off.
Just cover it if snow or frost is forecast - that does the most damage, not rain. Although Caldicott is virtually on the Severn, so it'll rot like a slug in a salt bath anyway.
Wash it, polish and wax it! Buy yourself a Maypole cover on EBay Most other covers can cause micro blisters Obviously a garage would be better Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
The only regular cost of not covering it is that any cheap indicator lenses will fade, along with paint. And my felt hat I keep in the bus fades. Expensive indicator lenses fade slower. My bus stands on sloping tarmac in the full force of the wind and all I do is cover the engine air vents with bits of plywood. Which I often have to replace after a gale.
Clear wax oil is the best. Messy, but good.ACF50 is also good, but expensive. Another good one, funnily enough, is good old pure beeswax furniture polish.
A good wash and wax and a maypole cover. Mine lives outside all year round, was recently painted last year and so far so good, often take it off on a weekend or the night before good weather and bring the cover inside to ensure its dry.
+1 on the Maypole.I think mines well worth the money ( about £80 ) I always wash the van before putting it on to avoid scratches. I've had no issues with it as it breaths.