Climate protection inside a garage | FerrariChat

Climate protection inside a garage

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by DrJan, Jun 29, 2015.

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  1. DrJan

    DrJan Formula Junior

    Feb 28, 2015
    553
    Grand Cayman
    Full Name:
    Dr Jan P
    #1 DrJan, Jun 29, 2015
    Last edited: Jun 29, 2015
    I live in a Maritime Tropical place, which means heat, plenty of humidity with lots of salt added in the air, just enough to make life more fun.
    As my garage ( walls, doors) is not insulated ( forgot to do it when I built the garage house, stupid me!) I have been thinking how to make sure the climate does not damage my (to me) new 575.
    The Bristol ai had started developing some corrosion issues ( humidity and salt) and on the 993 the interior leather needed periodic attention.

    Having read the threads about the Sticky Issue, knowing about Italian style electrics and Electronics, risk for damage to the leather interior and seen the multitude of exposed metal surfaces in the car I have realized that I have to do something.
    I had three options:
    1: Tear down the garage building, redesign and build new, but for that money I could buy a brace of brand new Ferraris. Or pay for the divorce my wife would surely demand.
    2: Insulate the walls and up and over garage ports and add some ducting from the upstairs AC unit. Would possibly have to upgrade the AC as it is dimensioned for the apartment above. Lot of work.
    Might work, might not.
    Option 3 is to create a separate compartment, insulated, with a portable AC unit inside the garage, but only for one car. I could build one myself from scratch, but as I am too busy/lazy I wanted an easier solution! Plus it would look weird. Like a sex dungeon/prison.
    So a little bit of online search and I found out that Carcoon in England make an indoor rigid car cover/ garage, like a capsule. Calked Veloce. They also make an outdoor insulated soft car cover.
    I thought - what about a combination?
    Keep the rigid frame, but ask them to replace the thin indoir fabric with the insulated outdoor fabric, add 2 holes with adjustable "cuffs" for the AC venting!
    So I contacted them and they are happy to do it!

    I ordered it with two sets of the adjustable cuffs, one in the front and one beside the entry opening.
    As I am unsure of the best position for the AC.
    I bought an LG portable AC last time I was in the US.

    What do you guys think? OTT? Stupid? Waste of money ?
     
  2. Mitch Alsup

    Mitch Alsup F1 Veteran

    Nov 4, 2003
    9,724
    Waste of money n my opinion.

    For the costs you will incur, you could have the car washed every week for a dozen years in a row.
     
  3. LARRYH

    LARRYH F1 Veteran
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Jun 3, 2011
    9,668
    virginia usa
    I would suggest installing some insulation if possible and instal a mini- split zone a/c system readily available locally in your area. If not online .. but most importantly seal the concrete floor .. I can recommend if you want it to look good use a product like Ucoat it .. if not just a concrete sealer will help. I also would suggest rubber parking mats design just for this they are available through Griots garage and other places..
    I would not suggest using the same a/c as your house due to carbon monoxide issues not to mention the smell.. I have all of the above in my garage and have no problems with humidity.. I live in a high humidity area.. also...
    I hope this is of some help to you..
     
  4. DrJan

    DrJan Formula Junior

    Feb 28, 2015
    553
    Grand Cayman
    Full Name:
    Dr Jan P
    Cost not a problem, same as 15 quality washes and waxes.
    Floor is polished and painted. Goid idea with the rubber psrking mats though!
    I had some in UK, they followed the contour of the tyre so I did not get flat dpots on the rubber.
    The problem insulating the garage is that Styrofoam sheets or expanded cork sheets have to be imported. I did a quick estimate and arrived excluding the AC at sround 10 000 US invluding shipping and local duty.
    The modified garage incl AC will be less than 2000 US.
     
  5. ///Mike

    ///Mike F1 Veteran

    Dec 11, 2003
    6,097
    Bugtussle
    I'm very interested in what you finally wind up with, doctor. Please post pics and details when the project is complete. I've been contemplating solutions to a similar problem and would love to be able to steal some ideas from you.
     
  6. DrJan

    DrJan Formula Junior

    Feb 28, 2015
    553
    Grand Cayman
    Full Name:
    Dr Jan P
    I will. It will take a month or two. But I do not know the easiest way to add a picture to a post!
    Or any way I should write.
     
  7. kerrari

    kerrari Two Time F1 World Champ

    Oct 22, 2004
    24,033
    Coolum Beach AUSTRALIA
    Full Name:
    Karen H.
    Ask in the British section - they use lots of Carcoons, and I've seen them used successfully in HK which is also a tough environment.
    To the poster who said just wash it more often - doesn't work, corrosion attacks from the bits you can't get to. Also, many carwashes contain salt (to make them froth) so overwashing can actually be detrimental.
     
  8. Enzojr

    Enzojr F1 World Champ

    Dec 12, 2013
    14,001
    West of PDX
    Full Name:
    Tomy
    Cartoon, looks like the obvious choice.
     
  9. boxerman

    boxerman F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    May 27, 2004
    19,722
    FL
    Full Name:
    Sean
    A serious dehumidifier will go a long way, the temp in the garage is not the main issue its the humidity.

    As to salt air. I know some people who have a spay system that sprays their cars down as they enter the garage and them blow dry them. All a function of how far you want to go.

    Dehumidifier is an easy and inexpensive start. If you can get humidity down to 50% you are 90% of the way there.
     
  10. Jaguar36

    Jaguar36 Formula 3
    Rossa Subscribed

    Nov 8, 2010
    1,084
    Cherry Hill, NJ
    This is the way to go. Instead of using sheets of styrofoam or cork, have someone sprayfoam or blow in fiberglass.
     
  11. DrJan

    DrJan Formula Junior

    Feb 28, 2015
    553
    Grand Cayman
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    Dr Jan P
    Thought about that too, 4 inch of spray on foam, but then I need to fix metal battens to the walls, and cover with Plasterboard, plaster and paint.
    This I should have done when I built it. Too complicated to do after.
     
  12. VIZSLA

    VIZSLA Four Time F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Jan 11, 2008
    41,692
    Sarasota
    Full Name:
    David
    Living in coastal Florida I have similar concerns. My floor is epoxy sealed, the walls drywall over cinder blocks, the garage doors have insulation inserts and I have a mini split system cooling and dehumidifying the garage.

    Not only do my cars benefit but I keep books and magazines there with no deterioration.

    Having a cool garage is a real plus here.
     
  13. 2000YELLOW360

    2000YELLOW360 F1 World Champ

    Jun 5, 2001
    19,800
    Full Name:
    Art
    I store the Mondial in my hanger. The airport is near the water and I see temps in the 100s during the summer. I insulated it with R30, and found I didn't need air conditioning since it stays a lot cooler. Might want to try that first.

    Art
     
  14. DrJan

    DrJan Formula Junior

    Feb 28, 2015
    553
    Grand Cayman
    Full Name:
    Dr Jan P
    I did some calculation, checked the temperature of the sun expised walls, walks in shade, temperature inside garage and so on, and I arrived at 4 inch spray on foam. The problem was the up-and-over garage doors in Aluminium (2 of them), the badly sealing plastic strip that is supposed to seal the doors and the south facing window ( in sun from morning to afternoon).

    If I would achieve the same insulation as the apartement above I would need the same sized AC unit as that, despite no Cathedral ceiling as the floor is not insulated. Would cost me about 200 KYD a month to cool to 79 degrees.
    I am placing the order tomorrow for the Modified Carcoon Veloce. If it does not work I will bite the bullet and start insulating.
     
  15. DrJan

    DrJan Formula Junior

    Feb 28, 2015
    553
    Grand Cayman
    Full Name:
    Dr Jan P
    Ordered!

    It will be interesting to see how it works. And if it works as I hope!
     
  16. Jana

    Jana F1 Veteran

    Mar 4, 2015
    9,872
  17. DrJan

    DrJan Formula Junior

    Feb 28, 2015
    553
    Grand Cayman
    Full Name:
    Dr Jan P
    I still would need to insulate.
    If the modified Carcoon fors not funtion to satisfaction then I will do it.
    I have one of those Samsung units in my sommerhouse in Norway. Except it heats, not cools. Excellent quality.
     

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