You just invested thousands of dollars in a new, car truck or SUV. Fortunately, you can keep it safely tucked away in a garage rather than in a parking lot or on the street. But is it really safe? Surprisingly, many cars are damaged while parked in garages. Here are few tips to prevent them from suffering dings, dents, scratches or worse damage.
Most cars have to share space with bicycles and other typical garage stuff. If possible partition thegarage. While a permanent partition will work best, you can provide satisfactory protection by hanging a large canvas sheet from the ceiling to prevent bikes or rakes from coming in contact with cars. Also isolate vehicles from the workshop area where you do grinding, hammering, sandblasting and spray painting.
A 3 foot by 6 foot or larger piece of Styrofoam suspended from the ceiling between vehicles will prevent door caused dings in tight quarters. Also put thick padding on walls, column, or other permanent obstacles to also protect door when opening them. Purchase some stairstep threads and place them on the edges of door jambs. They will not only protect the vehicles, but also the door jambs as you drive in and out.
Keep garden tool, lawn furniture and bicycles on the "working" side of the garage. If you must store items on the "new vehicle side," make sure they are tightly secured. Bungie cords are great for securing larger items to walls. Never place paint cans or other easily dislocated items on open shelving when they could fall on the vehicles. Invest in cabinets with lockable doors, and then keep them locked. Use childproof safety locks on cabinets that do not have locking doors. Never store items in the rafters above valuable vehicles.
Make sure your garage door is good working order. A broken door spring can cause havoc in a garage. Close garage door when not in the garage. This will keep kids and cats out. The latter love to sleep on warm hoods and in the process can scratch paint. Consider investing in a vehicle cover.
Be particularly careful with flammable materials. If possible, do not store them in the same garage with valuable vehicles. If you must store them, make sure they are in sealed containers and as far away from the vehicle as possible. Invest in good fire extinguishers.
