BajaNomad

How to tarp the truck?

Alm - 5-2-2016 at 12:06 PM

Have an old Chevy Suburban there, not too valuable but no visible rust either. Bought a tarp 16x20, tied around the bottom and few straps across the top, came back in fall - all in pieces. It's a cheap tarp.

Mostly the wind is to blame, it shreds/wears on the corners and where straps are going across the roof. There is OEM root rack - rails, so the air trapped on top turns it into sail. Wheels are covered.

Other than building a carport, can anything be done? When I look at $300 "car covers" on Amazon, I am not convinced they will survive Baja winds and sun for more than a few months. The whole car isn't worth much more, but it's fine for short trips. If it goes like that, exposure will kill the body way before engine and tranny die.

4x4abc - 5-2-2016 at 01:04 PM

what is it you are trying to protect? The interior? The paint?

Alm - 5-2-2016 at 01:21 PM

Quote: Originally posted by 4x4abc  
what is it you are trying to protect? The interior? The paint?

Mostly - the paint and whatever plastic/rubber trim is outside.

Interior is easier to protect, could put cardboard sheets etc inside. I hoped tarp would do both, but Baja weather destroys soft plastic in now time.

4x4abc - 5-2-2016 at 02:29 PM

give it a good wax job and forget the tarps. I have a couple of trucks that I have kept almost 10 years outside - rubber and paint look just fine. I wash the once a year.

mtgoat666 - 5-2-2016 at 02:45 PM

Build a shade structure. Or buy one of the many shade structures sold for cars. Quality fabric will last for years.

Barry A. - 5-2-2016 at 03:28 PM

Quote: Originally posted by 4x4abc  
give it a good wax job and forget the tarps. I have a couple of trucks that I have kept almost 10 years outside - rubber and paint look just fine. I wash the once a year.


Agree. I have a 1994 Ford F-250 that is red in color and sits out in the sun in Redding, CA all year------never been under cover. I wax it once a year in the spring with a good paste wax, and that's it. The clear-coat on the hood is just beginning to deteriorate I noticed the other day, but not too bad yet. I protect the inside with cardboard-panals cut to fit on the windows that keep the sun out.

I also have a 1989 Isuzu Trooper (white) that gets treated the same way, with zero deterioration, but that one is under a tree with leaves in summer, but no leaves in winter. Covers, IMO, do more harm than good except maybe for boats.

Barry A. - 5-2-2016 at 03:37 PM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
Build a shade structure. Or buy one of the many shade structures sold for cars. Quality fabric will last for years.


My neighbor has one of those "car covers" on a steel frame with "quality fabric" bought from the manufacture of the frame. He buys a new cover every other year and they are not cheap, unless we get a big wind and then kiss the cover goodbye right now. I believe a total waste of money, but just my opinion. We have sun similar to Baja in Redding-------very intense!!!

My other neighbor has a steel-frame structure covered with steel baked enamel panels and paid about 2 grand for it. It does a good job of protecting his motor-home, and stands up to high winds (so far).

mtgoat666 - 5-2-2016 at 04:28 PM

It mexico it costs under $1000 to build a carport with corrugated metal roof, or thatch roof for a couple bucks more.

With some creativity, the open framing can be distinctive and make it look quite nice.

The nice thing about a carport is the car is cool when you get in it at noon on a sunny day,...

Alm - 5-2-2016 at 04:32 PM

I know I have to build. Just hoped to get "some" protection for a year or two.

Barry, what wax are you using? One year is impressive, they rarely last that long. On UV properties of waxes, here is This test.

Note the Meguiars disclosure. They are one of the best, if they are that pessimistic - this tells me something.


[Edited on 5-2-2016 by Alm]

bezzell - 5-2-2016 at 04:55 PM

Have a local build a palapa w/ palm leaves? (and a good waxing)

Barry A. - 5-2-2016 at 08:11 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Alm  
I know I have to build. Just hoped to get "some" protection for a year or two.

Barry, what wax are you using? One year is impressive, they rarely last that long. On UV properties of waxes, here is This test.

Note the Meguiars disclosure. They are one of the best, if they are that pessimistic - this tells me something.


[Edited on 5-2-2016 by Alm]


Wax-----I use what I happen to have on hand as long as it is a paste-wax. I have never let my auto-paint get in bad shape, so I don't really need a "cleaner wax". For the past few years I have used "TURTLE WAX--Emerald series---100% pure Carnauba paste wax", applied with an old sock once a year, usually in the spring. After applying, I let it sit (dry) for at least an hour, and then polish it off with an old towel, all done in the shade and out of the sun. I do the same for my 34 year old CALLEN camper and it still looks almost like new, but the paint is wearing thin in places.

On my camper, if the paint is dirty or is sloughing-off to the touch (white residue on finger) I do use a cleaner-wax (liquid--Maquiras) first, and then another coat of paste wax, but I have not had to do that for years as it is a pain, and I hate having to do that.

This has always worked for me. My car ('97 Toyota Camry, dark green) is 100% in a garage, and I only wax it once every 2 years, if that often. It looks almost new.

I must admit that I have never tried waxing Palm-thatch, Bezzell, but maybe?!?!?!?

durrelllrobert - 5-3-2016 at 10:46 AM

How about a very used matteress from the sgundo or just covering it with all the neighborhood trash?