Winter's a coming...

[stag36587]

...and I'm really wanting ideas on how to best insulate my garage - brick/block built double with wooden doors and usual wood and felt roof. I'm conscious of need to maintain ventilation but last year moisture in the air played merry havoc with my Stag alloys lacquer and newly painted parts of the Minor. Should I really invest in a dehumidifier or is there's more sustainable solution? All ideas gratefully received!

[panky]

I had terrible trouble with condensation dripping from the corrugated plastic roof on the 'temporary' extension I built on the back of my garage. I pretty much cured it by placing an old desk fan at the back and putting it on a plug in timer - half an hour on and two hours off, no more roof drips and without heating or de-humidifiers

[Trickydicky]

Second the fan idea, I have a 14" old desk fan mounted in the roof on a timer which comes on every couple of hours for 15 mins. Most garages have dead space with no airflow but the fan changes that, my gardening boots don't get mouldy anymore!
My minor has a breathable cover on it and the bodywork doesn't suffer being under it. The garage has has vents but if the air doesn't flow then then there's no point having them.

[mike.perry]

I have previously had integral garages so frost and condensation have not been a problem. My present garage is detached and I shall be looking for methods of keeping the temperature up.
I have a parafin heater which slides under the sump

[ianmack]

Parafin heaters produce a fair bit of moisture and condensation.

[ManyMinors]

I've never had any problem at all with a damp garage. Our Minors (even the convertible) live outside all the time and are used daily. They really don't seem to suffer much. A car in a damp garage and not being used would suffer more I would think.
I reckon air circulation must be key.

[philthehill]

Air circulation is the key.
My Minor for several years was kept at the back of a big detached open fronted shed and never once suffered from condensation.
Now the Minor is kept covered with a breathable cover in a wooden building which has plenty of air circulating through it.
Additionally I have always kept a condensation catcher filled with KILLROCK granules (or similar) inside the car and that captures any moisture that may happen to find its way in.
Phil

[SteveClem]

I've found that it really helps if you open the garage doors on those lovely sunny (or dry/blowy) winter days. Easier if your garage is at your house,of course.

[Hubert]

Although my garage is a fairly new build and well insulated, it is inevitable to get moisture inside. But I have made very good expericnce with dehumidifier granules like these ones

http://www.homecareessentials.co.uk/aca ... rbers.html

They have been on sale quite cheaply at the German ALDI a couple of years ago, and I got several of them. During the winter I place one inside the car and the others around it. It is amazing how much water they collect. Of course you have to empty the boxes several times during the winter. A pack of granules lasts one winter, you have to replace it for the next winter.

Apart from that I have been successful taking the Moggy out of the garage for a 20-mile drive every few weeks during the winter. So she has never had to stand in the garage for more than five weeks. I inflate the tyres a bit more and check the antifreeze in the coolant, that's all. She has lived for five winters like that without any problems.

Cheers
Hubert

[stag36587]

Hi guys
Thanks very much for the suggestions. Will definitely try the fan on a timer approach and pick up some dehumidifier granules

[olderisbetter]

I get the granules from a local cash and carry and they work very well, i have experimented with a small fan over the granules to direct the air and a small fan over a vent to keep air flow, but remember if your car does go rusty you will have a project for the summer...