9 replies to this topic

[Nemo_86]

I’m in a bit of a predicament where in a few weeks I will be moving house, the current house I’m in has a decently dry garage which my mini sits in happily, my mini is far from perfect but is relatively solid and even before I owned it was kept in a dry garage by the 1 previous owner since 1974 when it was new. The house I am moving to has a small driveway with a lockable and quite secure garage door but other than that is completely open. I haven’t had to do any rust repair yet and although there are a few bodywork spots that need looking at do not want to mess with the paint just yet, if anyone has any suggestions on either how to look after it while it’s outside to prevent rust without doing anything massive like repainting or any tips for storing it they would be massively appreciated as I’m quite stressed out about this, thanks

[DeadSquare]

I don't understand why your Mini can't go in your new house's garage, but if it has to be outside for any length of time, it needs a shed.

 

You don't need planning permission for a greenhouse.  Easy to erect on your drive, lots of light if working on it, easy to see if it is still there and once it is inside and the end bolted in place, not easy to steal, and in 10 years time when you get around to doing up your Mini, you can move it and grow tomatoes.

 

Waltons of Sutton-on-Trent near Newark have a 12' X 6' metal frame / polycarbonate, free delivery. summer sale on offer for £329-99 tel 01636821135

 

[Nemo_86]

Thanks for the advice I have been looking into erectable car sheds. I may not have worded it correctly but the new house does not have a garage but just a garage door leading to the back of the house where it is pretty much a driveway. It’s fairly secure so I shouldn’t have to worry about that.

[Nemo_86]

Thanks for the advice I have been looking into erectable car sheds. I may not have worded it correctly but the new house does not have a garage but just a garage door leading to the back of the house where it is pretty much a driveway. It’s fairly secure so I shouldn’t have to worry about that.

[babsbrown]

I bought a carcoon second hand to store a classic Mercedes in a couple of years ago as I was out of the country.

They work with a fan that constantly keeps dry circulting air in and out of the big bubble.

It was great. Not even a spec of rust on the brake discs. And was as clean coming out as it was going in.

Other than a purpose build garage or shed I'd go for a carcoon everytime.

Thing is about rust is the moisture and airflow. You can have a car in a garage but if airflow is bad then moisture will be high and may actually cause more damage than a car sat on tarmac under a well flowing car port.

[Nemo_86]

Thanks that has put a lot of confidence in a carcoon I have started to look for second hand ones in my area, I will mainly want one for winter so have a bit of time

[mab01uk]

A car port behind your garage door would also give quite a bit of protection from wet weather, snow, frost, etc but with good ventilation.

https://www.aliportstructures.co.uk/

 

A car port worked well for me for many years before having a garage. There are many suppliers or you can build your own with basic DIY skills.

Edited by mab01uk, 17 September 2025 - 08:53 AM.

[MatthewsDad]

Inflatable bubbles sold in outdoor and indoor options. Indoor option not robust enough to use outside

[maccers]

Sounds like building a car port in that space would be ideal. I had a garage, that leaked and had a lot of moisture build up. Stored my motorbike in there that I used regularly and in the winter especially the discs would always have rust marks like when you wash a car and not use it for a day after.

 

The car port worked very well for my mini, it was big, I used clear corrugated roof for it and the sides were naturally house wall one side, and fence the other. Loads of air flow. Hooked up power in there for lighting etc. Used an indoor cotton car cover to stop it getting too dusty. 

 

Spent a weekend building the car port with my dad, cost maybe a few hundred for the materials. I still have most of the timber now about 7 years after I took it down to make way for house extention that included brick garage, but its way smaller than carport was.

 

Good luck! 

[stuart bowes]

as an alternative to a full on proper car port which we also considered, in the end we just put something like this on the back half of the driveway

 

https://www.livingan...nRoCLpEQAvD_BwE

 

not that exact one, I think ours is a bit longer, but you get the idea

 

took a few hours to put together and we bolted it down to the floor, but at least minis are small so you don't need it to be huge

 

obviously not lockable but we have locking metal gates in front of that so security wasn't a concern in our case

 

we do have to open up the sides and tie them back if it's really windy though so swings and roundabouts.  big fence on one side and house on the other stops the rain getting to it even when opened up

Edited by stuart bowes, 23 September 2025 - 11:24 AM.