As the UK summer winds down and the cooler, wetter months approach, now is the perfect time to perform essential end of season classic car maintenance. Proper care before winter storage ensures your car stays in top condition and is ready to hit the road again when spring rolls around. In this blog, we’ll walk you through the key end-of-season maintenance tasks and recommend products from Classic Auto Parts to help you preserve your prized vehicle.
1. Thorough Cleaning – Inside and Out
Before storing your classic car for the winter, it’s crucial to give it a deep clean to remove dirt, grime, and road debris that can cause corrosion. This includes a detailed wash and wax of the exterior, as well as a complete cleaning of the interior.
Our Recommended Cleaning Products
- Exterior: Meguiar’s Ultimate Wash & Wax
This wash and wax combo helps maintain your car’s paint while providing a protective layer for winter storage. - Interior: Autoglym Interior Shampoo
Clean and freshen up the upholstery, carpets, and trim to ensure your car’s interior remains spotless.
2. Engine Oil Change
Old oil can contain contaminants that may damage your engine during months of inactivity. Changing the oil before storage is essential for keeping your engine in good condition.
- Recommended Product: Castrol Classic Engine Oil 20W50
This high-quality engine oil is perfect for vintage vehicles, offering optimal lubrication and protection for classic engines.
3. Check and Top-Up Fluids
Ensuring all fluids are topped up is crucial for protecting your classic car’s engine and components throughout the winter. Key fluids to check include coolant, brake fluid, and transmission oil.
- Recommended Product: Wynns Radiator Flush – 325ml
Converts old coolant into a cleaning solution that loosens sludge and deposits that contaminate new coolant. - Recommended Product: Lucas Oil Heavy Duty Oil Stabilizer
Prevent dry starts and reduce wear on engine components during storage with this engine oil additive.
4. Protect the Battery
During winter storage, your car’s battery can drain if left connected. For long-term storage, disconnect the battery or use a trickle charger to keep it in good health.
- Recommended Product: Maypole Automatic Battery Trickle Charger – 12V/0.5A
A smart trickle charger designed to maintain the battery without overcharging, ensuring your battery is ready to go come spring.
5. Prevent Rust and Corrosion
Rust is a classic car owner’s worst enemy, especially in our notoriously damp UK climate. Applying a rust inhibitor to vulnerable areas can help prevent rust from forming during storage.
- Recommended Product: Hammerite Waxoyl Black – 400ml
Excellent corrosion and rust resistance to prolong the life of classic cars.
6. Tyre Maintenance
Flat spots can develop on tyres if your car sits idle for months. Ensure tyres are properly inflated and, if possible, roll your car occasionally during storage.
- Recommended Product: Ring Automotive Analogue Tyre Inflator
Ensure your tyres are inflated to the correct pressure with this easy-to-use tyre inflator, essential for winter storage preparation.
7. Seal and Protect the Car Body
Apply a high-quality wax to your car’s paintwork to shield it from moisture and dirt over the winter.
- Recommended Product: Meguiar’s Ultimate Liquid Wax
This long-lasting liquid wax provides a durable, protective layer to keep your car’s paintwork looking pristine.
8. Cover Your Car
Investing in a good quality car cover is essential for protecting your classic car from dust, dirt, and moisture during winter storage, especially if it’s stored outdoors.
- Recommended Product: Streetwize Large Classic Car Cover
This breathable, water-resistant car cover is designed to protect your classic car from all weather conditions.
9. Fuel Stabilization
If you’re not driving your car regularly during the off-season, consider adding a fuel stabilizer to prevent fuel degradation and clogging of the fuel system.
- Recommended Product: Lucas Oil Safeguard Ethanol Fuel Conditioner
This fuel additive protects against ethanol-related issues and ensures your fuel system stays clean and functional during storage.
10. Lubricate Moving Parts
Before putting your classic car away for the season, lubricate key moving parts like hinges, locks, and latches to prevent them from seizing up.
- Recommended Product: WD-40 Smart Straw Lubricant Penetrant Spray – 450ml
This versatile silicone lubricant is perfect for protecting and lubricating metal, rubber, and plastic components on your classic car.
End-of-season maintenance is key to preserving your classic car’s looks and performance, ensuring it’s ready to roar back to life in the spring. By investing in the right products and performing these essential tasks, you can keep your classic car in top condition through the winter.
For all your classic car maintenance needs, visit Classic Auto Parts to shop our wide range of high-quality products. Prepare your car for winter storage and give it the care it deserves so it’s ready to go when the season starts again.
