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VW Lounge => General Forum => Topic started by: matt on November 08, 2010, 07:54:31 pm

Title: Is it a good idea to crate my bug?
Post by: matt on November 08, 2010, 07:54:31 pm
  Instead of covering my bug for the winter under a cover which I have yet to wash and waterproof, I'm thinking of getting plywood and 2x4's, make a frame around the bug and box it in with the plywoood.( Will have a wooden floor also). Figure its better to keep it out of the elements that way, heck maybe put some Thompsons woodsealer & water repel on the wood.  Also would protect it from branches falling down on it

 Not sure if there is something not good about the idea except for the 2 below........


1)  would have to open up an end of the box, pull my bug out of the crate to start it up occasionally over the winter & push it back in without bumping the front fender to the other side of the crate

2) Would not get any artsy snow thing going on...



                (http://i626.photobucket.com/albums/tt345/SPARKDOG2/snow.jpg)
Title: Re: Is it a good idea to crate my bug?
Post by: jthw8 on November 08, 2010, 07:55:50 pm
probably better protection than just a cover.  Leave some vent holes to keep moisture from building up inside.
Title: Re: Is it a good idea to crate my bug?
Post by: matt on November 08, 2010, 07:57:48 pm
 

       yea, that is a good idea..  could make a plug even or a down pointing covered opening... sort of like a drier vent.

Title: Re: Is it a good idea to crate my bug?
Post by: jthw8 on November 08, 2010, 07:59:45 pm


       yea, that is a good idea..  could make a plug even or a down pointing covered opening... sort of like a drier vent.



Yep very good idea.  A couple of cheap hinges and you can make a side door to get in and start her up without dragging it out too.
Title: Re: Is it a good idea to crate my bug?
Post by: matt on November 08, 2010, 08:04:57 pm



         Hmmmmmmmmmm


Title: Re: Is it a good idea to crate my bug?
Post by: jthw8 on November 08, 2010, 08:10:41 pm


         Hmmmmmmmmmm




We could get real tricky and discuss ways to wire in a remote starter so you can just run her with a press of a button once a month or so ;)  Heck put it on a timer and never worry about it at all.   Sounds like waay too much tech for our nice simple little cars though.
Title: Re: Is it a good idea to crate my bug?
Post by: Soul Rebel 67(Ramon) on November 08, 2010, 08:36:34 pm
We do stuff like that in St Croix. Build a garage using 2x4 and plywood with no moisture or load on roof problems. The pitch on the roof is the trick, Here's a dwg that i did a while ago... notice the vent inside of the front of the wall, over the light fixture. I hope this helps..
(http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz51/cruzan_71/garage001.jpg)
Title: Re: Is it a good idea to crate my bug?
Post by: Baha (Shawn) on November 09, 2010, 09:15:47 pm
What about a portable shed? Like the garages only smaller. Plywood would cost more

http://www.tractorsupply.com/lawn-garden/outdoor-structures/shelterlogic-10-ft-x-10-ft-x-8-ft-e-series-shed-1110696

http://media.tractorsupply.com/is-viewers-4.1/flash/genericzoom.swf?&serverUrl=http://media.tractorsupply.com/is/image/&contentRoot=/skins/&config=TractorSupplyCompany/TSCConfig4&image=TractorSupplyCompany/1110696_set&initialFrame=0
Title: Re: Is it a good idea to crate my bug?
Post by: lovebus (jack) on November 10, 2010, 11:15:06 am
Really no need to start it, just store your battery in the house (not on a concrete floor)  for the winter.
Title: Re: Is it a good idea to crate my bug?
Post by: Bob(Herbie) on November 10, 2010, 04:21:42 pm
Matt,
Yes, you do need air for moisture control. Also if you use any kind of temp. shelter, don't forget something to stop ground moisture from coming up under the car. Something like plywood. This has worked for me when important VW stuff has exceeded storage space.
Bob
Title: Re: Is it a good idea to crate my bug?
Post by: matt on November 10, 2010, 08:09:07 pm
 

  My monies ever grow smaller everyday it seems so am looking for a cheap option, mabe this weekend I will price out the wood,  - I hope it will be less than the shelter shawn listed - tho' I do like that.

Yea, the roof pitch is important, and looking to make this unobtrusive as possible for my neighbor's sake so will only want to make it as tall, wide, long as needed fit like a glove...

Glad to hear I really do not need to start it up in the winter, the boss says so, it must be so

Not sure if 3/4 plywood for a floor would let moisture in, I think I have some leftover deck sealer, so i would coat both sides for the ground contact.

I think I could sandwich caulk between the plywood &  2x4's frame, to make it air tight. So if water would not get through it would be as snug as a bug in a rug  - or crate.


Will let you all know what I find with pricing

Thanks for the input!

M
Title: Re: Is it a good idea to crate my bug?
Post by: jthw8 on November 10, 2010, 08:17:11 pm
aside from some vents at the top you can grab a few chemical dehumidifiers fairly cheap from Home Depot and help ensure you keep the interior moisture at bay.
Title: Re: Is it a good idea to crate my bug?
Post by: matt on November 10, 2010, 08:24:21 pm


 In my lab we use drierite, nice since it changes to blue when it has abosrbed moisture, can be dried out in an oven.

  I just think if I am getting moisture in there, I may be getting a lot, but still it is less than the car cover!

m
Title: Re: Is it a good idea to crate my bug?
Post by: jthw8 on November 10, 2010, 08:34:52 pm

 In my lab we use drierite, nice since it changes to blue when it has abosrbed moisture, can be dried out in an oven.

  I just think if I am getting moisture in there, I may be getting a lot, but still it is less than the car cover!

m

Agreed, it definitely beats a car cover, but any added precautions you can take for cheap sure couldnt hurt.  Heck if it were me I'd fill a garden sprayer with some oil and spray down the underside of the car for added protection.  Rust is a beyotch
Title: Re: Is it a good idea to crate my bug?
Post by: matt on November 11, 2010, 07:55:40 pm



  I hate rust!.......



evil cancer


Title: Re: Is it a good idea to crate my bug?
Post by: Celly on November 11, 2010, 07:58:28 pm
oh just tar it.... Tar Man (Matt)
Title: Re: Is it a good idea to crate my bug?
Post by: matt on November 11, 2010, 08:08:45 pm
                           I CANNOT BELIEVE I forgot that was an option !!!!!!!!!!


  THANKS!



Title: Re: Is it a good idea to crate my bug?
Post by: lovebus (jack) on November 11, 2010, 10:10:16 pm
And I thought I was being a good boy by not mentioning TAR. (-;
Title: Re: Is it a good idea to crate my bug?
Post by: Baha (Shawn) on November 12, 2010, 07:07:33 pm
And I thought I was being a good boy by not mentioning TAR. (-;

That makes 2 of us
Title: Re: Is it a good idea to crate my bug?
Post by: matt on November 12, 2010, 07:31:11 pm


 Both of you aint good boys,.............

Title: Re: Is it a good idea to crate my bug?
Post by: CAPTJACK on November 16, 2010, 12:17:57 am
i am putting up a auto shelter from pep boys 10' x 20' there around $250 has metal pole frame with heavy plastic cover has a lot of room inside
Title: Re: Is it a good idea to crate my bug?
Post by: matt on November 16, 2010, 06:34:00 pm

               Well, .....


                 I'm a little more broke that what I thought,



         (http://i626.photobucket.com/albums/tt345/SPARKDOG2/piggy_bank-2.jpg)




  even the plywood  & 2x4's would cost just about the item Shawn posted; so it will stay under its' usual cover....

Maybe next year...



   in the meantime, I'll break out the tar cans......




                  m

Title: Re: Is it a good idea to crate my bug?
Post by: lovebus (jack) on November 16, 2010, 10:07:12 pm
 (http://i626.photobucket.com/albums/tt345/SPARKDOG2/piggy_bank-2.jpg )    (http://www.jonrb.com/emoticons/rotfl.gif)      Man, that is one empty bank..... (http://www.jonrb.com/emoticons/rotfl.gif)
Title: Re: Is it a good idea to crate my bug?
Post by: matt on November 18, 2010, 06:23:42 pm


                     You know it buddy!!