Mitigating Winter As Much As Possible

Fortunately living in zone 2 London means I have a lovely pollution cloud over me that helps stave off snow drifts and flooding. But this year over winter my VX will be living outside, any tips?

• The soft top, can I put something over it that might help it through?
• I am considering a car cover but aware the damage these can do to paintwork if a few bits of much get under them and the wind picks up...
• I will be putting in a solar trickle charger and starting her up each weekend and driving where possible

 

Fortunately living in zone 2 London means I have a lovely pollution cloud over me that helps stave off snow drifts and flooding. But this year over winter my VX will be living outside, any tips?

• I am considering a car cover but aware the damage these can do to paintwork if a few bits of much get under them and the wind picks up...

I leave my car outside on SORN for part of the winter and I live in a high wind area and I'm aware that chafing of from the car cover can very quickly abrade the paint.  I've done two things to address this.  Firstly my Stormforce coverwas a very poor fit so I put it on upside down, marked pleats to be sown together with a sowing machine (extra strong needle) where it was way too loose, and then seam sealed the result.  Also I have a genuine Opel indoor cover which is very tight.  I put this on first and the Stormforce over the top which has allayed any wind chafing problems.  Depends on how much effort you're prepared to put in.  I suspect just the indoor cover by itself underneath an unmodified Stromforce would be sufficient to prevent chafing. 

Thanks Oblomov, would the indoor cover get damp under the outdoor cover and cause moisture to sit on the car unvented? It just seems too simple a solution    Great if it works though!

Thanks Oblomov, would the indoor cover get damp under the outdoor cover and cause moisture to sit on the car unvented? It just seems too simple a solution    Great if it works though!

I've not had a problem with that but I do take the covers off at every opportunity when it's fine day. 

I have played about with a couple of 75w space heaters on a timer, one in the cabin and one in the boot (boot lid not closed), and  small plywood A frames I made to raise the covers above the boot and off the windscreen and bonnet.  I wasn't sure if it was worthwhile or not.

Edited by oblomov, 13 November 2019 - 07:36 PM.

Oh, and I put a piece of cardboard under the soft top, especially if I put the heater in.