Vintage and classic cars can be extremely expensive. Most owners are either wealthy individuals who buy them as investments, or car dealers who can have up to 100 cars for sale on display in a showroom, or kept in a store. It is vital, therefore, that steps are taken to protect the vehicles from rusting while they are in storage (classic car garages and stores are prone to attracting damp and condensation, leading to a poor atmosphere that can result in steel corrosion). However, below 60% Relative Humidity (RH), steel corrosion is greatly reduced, and at 50% RH, it is almost zero.
One way of controlling humidity levels in these environments is to use hired portable dehumidifiers supplied by a portable dehumidifier hire specialist.
Types of hired dehumidifiers
Simply put, dehumidifiers are able to control damp and condensation by taking moisture out of the air. They can be remarkably effective in maintaining required humidity levels in classic car garages and stores of all sizes, and are frequently used by managers.
The two most common types of dehumidifier available for hire are:
1. Powerful refrigerant dehumidifiers: these robust, economical and energy-efficient machines can handle up to 890 litres dehumidification capacity a day, delivering high levels of drying power. In a British climate this typically provides keep-dry areas up 13,600m3 and dry out areas up to 6,400m3.
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2. Desiccant dehumidifiers: these use moisture-absorbing materials like silica gel, and are used when very low relative humidity is needed. Desiccant materials have a high affinity for adsorbing water vapour - up to 10,000 m3/hr, in fact.
With classic car storage, the type of dehumidifier used will depend upon the size of the storage area/showroom.
About vintage and classic cars
These types of cars fall in to two categories: vintage and classic. Vintage cars were built during the "Vintage Era" - between the start of 1919 and the end of 1930. Classic cars are slightly younger, and are therefore more affordable. However most of these vehicles are purchased for enjoyment and not for every day driving due to their cost (up to hundreds of thousands of pounds) and therefore keeping them in good order is of paramount importance.
Vintage and classic car owners are usually fanatical about maintaining their vehicles to the utmost standards. They know their investments are sure to increase in value over time, and so are careful to protect them. This is something sellers (individuals and companies) realise, and why they often purchase or lease portable dehumidification units for their showrooms and stores, to ensure their cars are kept in tiptop condition.
Why dehumidification is preferable to heat
Unlike heaters, which "cover" or "disguise" the problem of excess moisture in the air, a rented portable dehumidifier from a dehumidifier hire specialist can be used to positively remove the moisture and condensation from the atmosphere in a classic car garage or store.
Rented portable dehumidifiers can:
Prevent corrosion of vulnerable metal surfaces and body panels (of vintage and classic cars)
Dry damp showrooms and garages at a faster rate than heat, allowing cars to be stored for indefinite periods (without moisture-related degradation)
Consume at least four times less energy than an equivalent heating system
Operate in unheated and uninsulated rooms without wasting energy
Dry a vehicle if it is returned to the garage whilst wet
Contingency planning is the key
Most classic cars owners already have dehumidifiers on site, to ensure humidity and temperature levels are always correctly maintained. But these units can sometimes break down. That is why it is essential for owners and dealers to formulate a contingency plan with a dehumidifier hire specialist (preferably one who offers a 24/7 emergency call-out service, all year round).
As an initial step, the specialist will perform a site survey at the garage, showroom or store to discuss the exact humidity and temperature levels required.
With a carefully formulated contingency plan in place, the car owner or dealer can enjoy peace of mind, knowing that if their dehumidifier fails, a specialist dehumidifier hire company that operates an emergency response service are always only a phone call away.
Classic car supply is finite
Finally, car manufacturers are simply not making classic cars anymore. Dealers and owners of vintage and classic cars realise this and see hired dehumidifiers as playing a crucial role in helping them to protect their investments (assets that could actually appreciate by up to 50% over 15 to 20 years!).
