Leaving cars on grass?

Gaz · 22-02-23, 02:17 PM

I need to park a couple of cars up for a while and I don't have anywhere to leave them other than in a field.

To stop the rot, could I put something down on the grass first? Such as a Tarpaulin or plastic sheet? Then a car cover? (Non biodegradable I'm guessing)

They could be there for a while, so any ideas or experience of doing this?

Just want to stop the grass rotting the cars.

Cheers.

tractor Dave · 22-02-23, 04:25 PM

It's not a good idea but if you have no other option, I would spray the grass on a dry day with glyphos in the outline of the car ( the grass will die anyway after a long time in the shade). Putting a plastic sheet down will just cause rain to bounce back into the underside of the car. Once the grass is dead it will allow air to circulate under the car and help rain soak away. Put a couple of mouse traps in the car as well. They WILL get in.
In my opinion, covers are not a good idea for long term outside storage.

K Simmonds · 22-02-23, 07:49 PM

Short term no problem, but any longer than a couple of weeks in the summer will do the car no favors. Generally best avoided.

Edit... Oh yeah mice are infuriating.

ovalking · 23-02-23, 08:59 AM

I left a car in a grass field for a couple of years. Lesson learnt!
All exposed metal on the underside became very rusty.

I've been beaten to it, but I was going to say that mice are just as much a problem! I don't know how they get in! Peppermint oil supposedly helps keep them away. My car smells like the dentist...

84CoupeGT · 23-02-23, 11:12 AM

In addition to other ideas, can you get the cars up in the air whilst dry and get any exposed metal or rusty spots cleaned up and protected with underseal before they're parked up? Also give them a good wash everywhere to get rid of any salt. Obviously keeping tyres pumped up will help keep car further away from the ground and moisture too.

Ringmaster · 23-02-23, 08:28 PM

Using planks (pressure treated) under the tyres for extra clearance may be an idea?

BackintheFold · 23-02-23, 09:41 PM

Or laying the planks over the grass as a temporary raft?

K Simmonds · 24-02-23, 12:01 PM

You could put down the cheapest 8' x 4' sheet of ply or even hardboard you can find and park on that.

22-02-23, 07:49 PM	#3
K Simmonds Senior Member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Mid Wales Posts: 1,060	Short term no problem, but any longer than a couple of weeks in the summer will do the car no favors. Generally best avoided. Edit... Oh yeah mice are infuriating. __________________ Still have my RS2 tuck up safe, also a 1992 C4 2.8 Avant quattro and a B3 quattro Saloon G60 conversion in progress.

23-02-23, 09:41 PM	#7
BackintheFold Senior Member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Near an MB ur Quattro Posts: 1,190	Or laying the planks over the grass as a temporary raft? __________________ 2006 A3 (daily drive) 1987 MB ur

24-02-23, 12:01 PM	#8
K Simmonds Senior Member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Mid Wales Posts: 1,060	You could put down the cheapest 8' x 4' sheet of ply or even hardboard you can find and park on that. __________________ Still have my RS2 tuck up safe, also a 1992 C4 2.8 Avant quattro and a B3 quattro Saloon G60 conversion in progress.

22-02-23, 04:25 PM	#2
tractor Dave Senior Member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Wales Posts: 1,174	It's not a good idea but if you have no other option, I would spray the grass on a dry day with glyphos in the outline of the car ( the grass will die anyway after a long time in the shade). Putting a plastic sheet down will just cause rain to bounce back into the underside of the car. Once the grass is dead it will allow air to circulate under the car and help rain soak away. Put a couple of mouse traps in the car as well. They WILL get in. In my opinion, covers are not a good idea for long term outside storage.

23-02-23, 08:59 AM	#4
ovalking Grown up member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Ipswich Posts: 271	I left a car in a grass field for a couple of years. Lesson learnt! All exposed metal on the underside became very rusty. I've been beaten to it, but I was going to say that mice are just as much a problem! I don't know how they get in! Peppermint oil supposedly helps keep them away. My car smells like the dentist...

23-02-23, 11:12 AM	#5
84CoupeGT Grown up member Join Date: Nov 2020 Posts: 309	In addition to other ideas, can you get the cars up in the air whilst dry and get any exposed metal or rusty spots cleaned up and protected with underseal before they're parked up? Also give them a good wash everywhere to get rid of any salt. Obviously keeping tyres pumped up will help keep car further away from the ground and moisture too.

23-02-23, 08:28 PM	#6
Ringmaster Senior Member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,335	Using planks (pressure treated) under the tyres for extra clearance may be an idea?