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Glenn 
Mr. 010
Joined: December 25, 2001
Posts: 76940
Location: Sneaking up behind you
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 Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2016 4:04 pm Post subject: Re: Is Tarpping a bad idea? |
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| [email protected] wrote: |
| epowell wrote: |
Hi Friends...
...just got back to freezing Czech after 6 weeks in South India. (great trip!)
I had put a huge tarp on my van before going - and when I got back my girlfriend told me that some of the guys around town were saying that the tarp is a bad idea because it will trap moisture and promote rusting...
...is this true?
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I think we should admire a job done well.
When you put a tarp under it, be sure to raise the center of the tarp so water does not puddle on top of the tarp, or poke a small hole in the low spot so water runs out. |
I'm sure the neighbors just love looking at that all winter long.
At least its not on the front lawn like a boat.
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Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
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Merian
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Joined: January 04, 2014
Posts: 5212
Location: Orygun
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| Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2016 4:19 pm Post subject: Re: Is Tarping a bad idea? |
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| that will soften up the neighbors for when he builds a carport out of the tarp and some tree limbs |
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epowell
Samba Member
Joined: September 23, 2015
Posts: 4733
Location: Czech (mostly) Vancouver (sometimes)
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| Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2016 10:35 pm Post subject: Re: Is Tarping a bad idea? |
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| Wildthings wrote: |
Some people report very good success with tarping rigs, multi layers should help here. |
You mean there IS a way to "properly" tarp a van?
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epowell
Samba Member
Joined: September 23, 2015
Posts: 4733
Location: Czech (mostly) Vancouver (sometimes)
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| Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2016 10:39 pm Post subject: Re: Is Tarping a bad idea? |
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| Andrew A. Libby wrote: |
| Really, a heated garage would be best... |
Very unfortunately that probably won't happen - we actually do have two garages, one is sorta heated, but neither has a door high enough to accommodate my "Everest van".
I do have a space where I can and am allowed to build a carport - yes if I go "gungho" I could make it a full proper garage - and even heat it... who knows, maybe I will do this - but can be very expensive...
EDIT: hmmmm... but come to think of it. . . I really neeeeeeed a workshop, and proper place for all of that, and the Winters here are never going to go away or get more mild. . . maybe finally I need to bite the bullet. . . .
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Last edited by epowell on Wed Jan 20, 2016 10:42 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Wildthings
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Joined: March 13, 2005
Posts: 50352
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| Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2016 10:39 pm Post subject: Re: Is Tarping a bad idea? |
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| epowell wrote: |
| Wildthings wrote: |
Some people report very good success with tarping rigs, multi layers should help here. |
You mean there IS a way to "properly" tarp a van? |
People claim success with doing so. A search should turn up their ideas.
As for multiple layers, they trap air between them insulating the van somewhat. |
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epowell
Samba Member
Joined: September 23, 2015
Posts: 4733
Location: Czech (mostly) Vancouver (sometimes)
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| Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2016 10:49 pm Post subject: Re: Is Tarping a bad idea? |
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| Merian wrote: |
| that will soften up the neighbors for when he builds a carport out of the tarp and some tree limbs |
DAMN! No THAT solves my predicament for how to build the bloody garage CHEAP!  THANKS BRO!
...actually if you notice the little path infront of the van, that is a little path leading to our PUB that we have on the main floor. One huge reason to tarp the van is that I don't like the idea of "pub-people" continuously passing my van - in fact, when I recently got back from 4 weeks in Vancouver when I had left the van un protected - there were all sorts or weird things with the van, like VW emblems pulled off, and pen writing in the mirrors etc...
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epowell
Samba Member
Joined: September 23, 2015
Posts: 4733
Location: Czech (mostly) Vancouver (sometimes)
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| Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2016 10:52 pm Post subject: Re: Is Tarping a bad idea? |
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| Wildthings wrote: |
As for multiple layers, they trap air between them insulating the van somewhat. |
so the mulitple layers will prevent condensation INSIDE the van, thereby preventing molding inside? But what about the trapped moisture on the body?
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Wildthings
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Joined: March 13, 2005
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| Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2016 11:20 pm Post subject: Re: Is Tarping a bad idea? |
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| epowell wrote: |
| Wildthings wrote: |
As for multiple layers, they trap air between them insulating the van somewhat. |
so the mulitple layers will prevent condensation INSIDE the van, thereby preventing molding inside? But what about the trapped moisture on the body? |
Maybe use bubble wrap under the tarp or something. Don't get me wrong, I am not an advocate (and certainly not an expert) for tarping a vehicle, but I am willing to believe that some people have good results doing so.
My rigs sit outside all winter long parked pretty much wherever they were left the last time they were driven. If they are known to leak I will try to position them so that the water will drain but that is about all I do. I do find the idea of putting a tarp under the vehicle to be a joke, any and every place I have ever lived the wind blows at least sometimes when it rains or snows so water is going to end up sitting on the top of the tarp totally defeating the reason for having a tarp there in the first place. To me it would be much preferred that the water drains into the soil verses sitting on top of the tarp. |
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Merian
Samba Member
Joined: January 04, 2014
Posts: 5212
Location: Orygun
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| Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2016 11:26 pm Post subject: Re: Is Tarping a bad idea? |
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Best = Heated garage with Argon atmosphere
Next Best = Heated garage
Next = parked on slab with cover on framework over van
Next = parked on gravel with tarp under van
Next = parked on short grass with cover on framework over van
Worst = parked on unmowed grass
no matter what type of tarp you use, do not let the tarp twerk |
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IdahoDoug
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Joined: June 12, 2010
Posts: 10251
Location: N. Idaho
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| Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2016 11:44 pm Post subject: Re: Is Tarping a bad idea? |
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Yeah, my understanding of GoreTex is that it will allow water vapor from the warmer side of the membrane through (a human body), but not allow water drops in from the outside where it is wet with unvaporized water. But this transfer wont happen if say, you lay a cover of GoreTex on a wet car body as there is no air space for suspended water vapor to exist in that would pass through it. It's only going to function as Goretex where there is a volume of air on the vehicle side. It will still work, but with vast areas of the car cover laying directly against the sheetmetal or glass, only a smaller % of the cover will function to allow vapor through. Though a sunny day would probably successfully vaporize water everywhere under there. Dunno. Interesting application for it. Best scenario would be using something to create air space under it everywhere possible.
I agree on the caution against tarping. I have a heart breaking story that taught me not to do it. I had a 70 Pontiac Lemans Sport Convertible I hauled around the country in a few corporate moves. One day I parked it on a buddy's ranch, intending to restore it later. I drove it onto a huge tarp and wrapped this up and over the car. Then a second tarp from the top down. I secured the edges against snow accumulation, etc. A year later when I took the tarp off to move it indoors it was in sad shape. Moisture gets in - an absolute and unassailable fact of outdoor storage. With a tarp it cannot readily get out. I created lots of problems for myself.
Anyhow, don't heavily tarp a vehicle. Better to have some type of cover with an air space.
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epowell
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Joined: September 23, 2015
Posts: 4733
Location: Czech (mostly) Vancouver (sometimes)
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| Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2016 12:15 am Post subject: Re: Is Tarping a bad idea? |
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whats a tarp twerk?
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epowell
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Joined: September 23, 2015
Posts: 4733
Location: Czech (mostly) Vancouver (sometimes)
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| Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2016 12:21 am Post subject: Re: Is Tarping a bad idea? |
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| IdahoDoug wrote: |
Anyhow, don't heavily tarp a vehicle. Better to have some type of cover with an air space. |
Wow, sad story...
In my case it was in no way AIR TIGHT, there had to be a way for the cat to get under there  ...but, I sure wish I had asked you guys before even BUYING this huge expensive tarp.
My thoughts now are in the direction of building at least a carport.
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dobryan
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Wildthings
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Joined: March 13, 2005
Posts: 50352
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| Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2016 10:05 am Post subject: Re: Is Tarping a bad idea? |
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| epowell wrote: |
| IdahoDoug wrote: |
Anyhow, don't heavily tarp a vehicle. Better to have some type of cover with an air space. |
Wow, sad story...
In my case it was in no way AIR TIGHT, there had to be a way for the cat to get under there ...but, I sure wish I had asked you guys before even BUYING this huge expensive tarp.
My thoughts now are in the direction of building at least a carport. |
Actually going to the ground the way you did is bad as it does inhibit air flow under the van so water from the ground could easily condense on the underside of the van or anywhere under the tarp. No you did not seal it to the ground, but you did inhibit the flow of air. |
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epowell
Samba Member
Joined: September 23, 2015
Posts: 4733
Location: Czech (mostly) Vancouver (sometimes)
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| Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2016 10:10 am Post subject: Re: Is Tarping a bad idea? |
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| Wildthings wrote: |
Actually going to the ground the way you did is bad as it does inhibit air flow under the van so water from the ground could easily condense on the underside of the van or anywhere under the tarp. No you did not seal it to the ground, but you did inhibit the flow of air. |
I had a good feel around down there on the underside of the van and it all felt really nice and dry. Luckily here in Czech we have had drought for the last couple of years, so the earth is super dry... very little moisture coming off of that ground, lucky for me.
Anyhow I made a mistake for sure... NOT to be repeated!!
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epowell
Samba Member
Joined: September 23, 2015
Posts: 4733
Location: Czech (mostly) Vancouver (sometimes)
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| Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2016 2:43 am Post subject: Re: Is Tarpping a bad idea? |
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| Jeffrey Lee wrote: |
Lower passenger-side windshield seal. A common place for a leak, especially if the seal is original/old.
At the very least, pull the rubber lip back and peer in there with a bright light and look for water and rust. Dry it and apply a good windshield sealant like 3M 8509.
Eventually you may have to remove the whole seal and replace, and you will likely find you'll need to do rust repair. Search the archives. |
"rubber lip back and peer in there" (???) Do you mean I can partially remove the seal?
Is it possible to apply 3M 8509 to stop the leak WITHOUT having to remove the entire windshield - - - at least as a temp. fix?
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epowell
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Joined: September 23, 2015
Posts: 4733
Location: Czech (mostly) Vancouver (sometimes)
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| Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2021 12:47 pm Post subject: Re: Is Tarping a bad idea? |
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I am back to thinking about different ways to protect my van from rain, weather, and leaves... different van, different country but the challenge is the same.
What I have found, however, in the last 5 years is that leaving a van outside without any protection is not really so bad. Nothing really bad happens - and that is saying a lot considering the horror stories we hear about tarping disasters.
That being said some moisture does get in (I use MOISTURE GRABBERS with good success), and have now left my Vancouver van on gravel, under a tree, now 3 times for 11 months each time, and nothing really bad happens. Probably a few spots of external rust around the windows gets worse more quickly - but not such a big deal. However I do take up all flooring and put sticks of wood under all carpeting in case moisture collection there -the air flow will dry it out.
MY QUESTION NOW, is how would it work to just put a small tarp over the front half of the van. The reason is that the front seems to get a lot of leaves and sap from trees falling on it... the back part of the van is unaffected by this. So I figure that if only half of the van has a tarp - the there will not be any molding issues because there will still be lots of air flow.
Any thoughts?
PS - I will do my best to trim these trees looming overhead.
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djkeev
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Joined: September 30, 2007
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Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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epowell
Samba Member
Joined: September 23, 2015
Posts: 4733
Location: Czech (mostly) Vancouver (sometimes)
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| Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2021 2:05 pm Post subject: Re: Is Tarping a bad idea? |
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| djkeev wrote: |
There is a late year Bay Westy across the Delaware near Riegelsville.
It used to sit under an open side barn but one winter….. the barn was no more.
They tarped it about 10 years ago.
The tarp rots? they put another on top of it.
Go Figure…….
I shudder at the rot and mouse infestation that old Bay must have by now!
I don’t even want to think about it!
Oh well…….. there goes another one!
Dave |
Yeah.... I only revive this topic because I ran into a friend who said he owns a camperized school-bus. It is too long to drive in the city so he said he has it in storage over on an island.... he says that he has it loosely tarped for many years without problems.
So that got me thinking again.
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djkeev
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