A collector car deserves some pampering. Whether you’re the type of collector who frequently drives their car around town — or the type of collector who keeps their vehicle under wraps the entire time — winter care can require a few adjustments. Here are some tips on how to take care of your collector car over the long, cold season.

Start With Your Environment

A collector car should be stored in an area with temperature and humidity control. The winter weather itself can wreak havoc on a car. Temperature changes alter things like interiors and tires. Humidity can make things mold and rust. If you can’t control your garage’s temperature and humidity, you may need to rent storage from someone else. There are even companies that specialize in collector car storage, and there are humidity and temperature-controlled storage units big enough for a vehicle.

But you can also control your environment through the use of dehumidifiers and heaters. You just need to check on your vehicle once in a while to make sure that the temperature and moisture control is reacting as it should, and you may want to air out your vehicle periodically to make sure humidity isn’t building inside.

Whatever you do, you definitely don’t want to store your collector car outside. Because the winter months can easily lead to hail.

Check for Pests

Pests become far more prevalent during the winter months. They try to seek out areas that are warmer. Rats, mice, and other critters can cause a lot of damage to a vehicle, and that damage may not be evident until later. An exterminator or pest control service can lay down traps or poisons to make sure that nothing is touching your car. There are also deterrents that can be used to make sure that they never get in.

Prep the Car First

Before putting your car into winter storage, make sure the fluids have been changed. It’s particularly a good time for oil. Check the battery and put a well-fitting, breathable cover on. You don’t want the cover to be too tight because it can cause scratches, and you don’t want the cover to be non-breathable because it will capture humidity and potentially lead to mold. Before you cover it, you should clean it thoroughly. Dust and dirt can end up sanding away a paint job over time. And it’s just a generally good practice to keep your collector cars clean.

Get the Right Insurance

Of course, it’s also important to have the right insurance. Insurance for a collector car is different from insurance for a regular car. The value that you hold in your car is more than a regular car, and the risks are actually much lower; you probably aren’t driving your collector car every day. Make sure you have the right insurance and even if unexpected damage does occur to your vehicle, you’ll be able to get it fixed.

It’s been a weird year for many car collectors. Not only have people had to figure out how to enjoy their hobby while social distancing, but winter is now coming, and a lot of extreme weather has already been seen. If you want to make sure that your car is as safe as possible, you should follow the above tips, make sure you have the right insurance, and check your vehicle periodically. For more information about caring for your collector vehicle, check out the blog at Wayfarer Insurance Group.

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