Storing your Volkswagen through the winter months

Those of us fortunate enough to run a second car affords the opportunity to lay out your Volkswagen during the inclement months, or for that matter any time year for restoration purposes etc.

Having been in the situation where I've laid up my vehicle over the years I can pass on some useful advice you may be already using, or maybe be of assistance in the storage have your Vee Dub.

The following therefore is far from a definitive A-Z. But, hopefully will encourage you to cocoon your vehicle from the worst of the winter or any lengthy period of time in isolation.

Initially wash the underside i.e. power wash or via the jet wash at your local garage to Loosen the grime holding mud. Also at a good bodywork wash then follow up polish, remembering all alloy and chrome plating (where fitted). The only store when fully dry! A short run out will help.

Pump up all four road tyres (so ignore the spare) to 50 PS I. This helped to deter the forming of a flat spot if the vehicle is kept exactly in the same spot for a long period.

Fill fuel tank to the brim-to prevent any prevailing moisture in a tank condensing and increasing the risk of corrosion inside the tank.

Cavity Wax on the bumpers, door mirrors and etc. and inside the bumpers. This can when necessary be easily removed with white spirit.

All exposed cables, apply grease and work the cables back and forth (in the case of heat exchanger and throttle, re grease then leave.

All rubber seals; the doors, bonnet, luggage areas will benefit from a slight skim of French chalk. Use simple talc for superior quality.

Engine: turn it over on the ignition every fortnight also pump the clutch pedal several times and hold down before starting up.

From the point of view with exhaust emissions-it's obviously important to position the vehicle, rear faces out! Run the engine for approximately 20 minutes, moving the car under its own power back and forth pumping the foot break and exercising the handbrake. Do not on any account leave the handbrake on while the car is stored in the garage. Chock the tyres instead, hand brake cables have a bad habit of sticking on.

Humidity. What a can of worms to contend with in our temperate climate. Also a headache during the dark winter months. When leaving the vehicle in the garage, leave the windows one-inch down to equalise and thus aid the internal to external moisture.

Cover either with a professionally made in garage car cover or as a good substitute a Cotton or polyester mix double bed size sheet. Make sure it is periodically dried of any occasional condensation via a tumble dryer. If you have a garage by our home, you can opt to have it permanently heated on a low setting. You can also take advantage of a de-humidifier.

Do not put French chalk on the wider blades, place a small tower beneath the wiper blades and the windscreen.

Spray some WD 40 onto the door and engine keys and work in and out of the locks. Make sure all door drain holes and the like are free of any obstructions.

Make a note of everything you do interned and attach a copy firmly to the steering wheel.

To be continued next month with hints on longer term storage.

With thanks to club member Roy Wilson, general manager and director of works at Shepherd's- Volkswagen dealership in Bishop's Stortford East Hertfordshire.

Del Griffin