Condensation

[Triple-S]

As for a change not bad weather I uncovered my Volvo 164 and went to a friends in it - first outing this year. It wears two covers as I don't have a garage - a supposedly breathable fabric one then a waterproof tarp over that. However, both front footwell rubber trays had a lot of water in them - then I looked up and saw lots of condensation beads right across the car's headlining.
Has anybody got any sensible ideas (not buy a garage!) on how to combat this please? I wondered about buying a quantity of silica gel as I can't get electricity to a dehumidifier where it parks.
Car currently out in the sun to dry out, but I really need a cure please.

P

[cheshired5]

A couple of saucepans of cous cous strategically placed?

[luggsey]

Originally Posted by Triple-S

As for a change not bad weather I uncovered my Volvo 164 and went to a friends in it - first outing this year. It wears two covers as I don't have a garage - a supposedly breathable fabric one then a waterproof tarp over that. However, both front footwell rubber trays had a lot of water in them - then I looked up and saw lots of condensation beads right across the car's headlining.
Has anybody got any sensible ideas (not buy a garage!) on how to combat this please? I wondered about buying a quantity of silica gel as I can't get electricity to a dehumidifier where it parks.
Car currently out in the sun to dry out, but I really need a cure please.

P

The waterproof cover will trap moisture negating the effect of the breathable one.
On my camper I had a waterproof cover, left one roof window open a crack and used the chemical moisture catchers.
No condensation at all!

[ITSv40]

My convertible lives in an unheated garage with a breathable cover over it. When the weather is consistently cold there is no condensation at all, however as soon as the outside temperature rises significantly a layer of condensation forms on the outside of the car under the cover - warm air on a cold surface. I then take the cover off and let the car dry out, put the cover over one of the other cars inside out to dry and then cover the convertible once everything is dry. I think the only effective thing you can do - in addition to moisture absorbing granules - is un-cover the car when the weather is dry and let it breath.

[Delta66]

Rather than the gel type one use products, there are reusable ones that are recharged by microwaving them;

http://www.halfords.com/motoring/car...r-dehumidifier

[Triple-S]

Thanks Delta - didn't know about those, which sound a good idea. Will investigate Halfords tomorrow: probably cheaper on-line but as a mega-shop just two bus-stops down from where I have to pick up a repeat prescription, will drop in.
Luggsey - did you mean ONLY the waterproof tarp, or only the breathable cover? Will try better option when car gets covered tonight.
Thanks guys.
P

[christheancient]

Originally Posted by Delta66

Rather than the gel type one use products, there are reusable ones that are recharged by microwaving them;

http://www.halfords.com/motoring/car...r-dehumidifier

I bought a pair of of those.

And, so far, I've been condensation free except for one morning. Obviously that had sucked up enough damp to make them need drying out! I 'recharged' them (i.e. dried them out) in the microwave, then 'cooked' them in the fan oven at 100 for 30 minutes and finally, to make sure, left them on a radiator all night. That sorted them out and back to a condensation free windscreen (inside) in the mornings again.

[luggsey]

Originally Posted by Triple-S

Thanks Delta - didn't know about those, which sound a good idea. Will investigate Halfords tomorrow: probably cheaper on-line but as a mega-shop just two bus-stops down from where I have to pick up a repeat prescription, will drop in.
Luggsey - did you mean ONLY the waterproof tarp, or only the breathable cover? Will try better option when car gets covered tonight.
Thanks guys.
P

I used only a waterproof cover as I saw what happened to my friends immaculate Rover 3.5 when he stored it at my place over winter. He had the expensive breathable cover on it, when he took it off the interior was black with mould!
Good air circulation is needed to keep mould away.

[Delta66]

You can get cheaper dehumidifier bags online. I find the colour change spot on the bag, to show when to recharge it, is not reliable. I just microwave it once a week or so and boy does it steam up the microwave, which then wipes down nicely and it gets a clean as well!