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Owners of antique cars know that protecting them from the elements can be a huge challenge. The climate in which you live can affect the day-to-day damage that your vintage car might sustain, from wear and tear on the car’s transmission to deterioration of the paint job, interior, and tires. Read on to learn about the three climates that can cause the most damage to a collector car. 

3 Climates That Cause the Most Damage to Antique Cars

Humid Climates

Humidity can cause serious damage to your car by encouraging rust and corrosion, as rust occurs when metals are exposed to moisture for long periods. Humidity also makes issues like mildew and mold much more likely, especially in your antique car’s interior. Storing your vintage car with a dehumidifying unit in a climate-controlled garage can counteract the effects of humid weather. 

Salt Air

Antique CarsSalt is extremely corrosive to every part of your car, from its transmission to its paint job. Over time, salt eats away at the clear coat of paint that protects the body of your antique car and can corrode any part of the car made of rubber or plastic. Once the clear coat of your paint is corroded, sunlight and salt air can ruin the entire paint job over time and even cause the body of the car to rust. Salt also makes the oxidation that causes rust occur more quickly, making the beach especially detrimental to your vehicle

Snowy Areas

While snow itself isn’t particularly bad for collector cars, the conditions that accompany snowy weather can be very damaging. In heavy snow, roads are covered with gravel and salt to increase traction, and both of these can cause a lot of damage to antique cars. Gravel can fly up and damage paint, while salt, if left to sit for any length of time, corrodes paint and metal. The biggest danger is to the car’s undercarriage, where salt can accumulate and start to destroy axles and other exposed parts. 

 

If you’re interested in antique cars, the Charlotte AutoFair in Charlotte, NC, is a dream come true. The Charlotte AutoFair gathers together more than 10,000 vendors, collectors, buyers, and sellers of vintage cars for a huge antique car show. Everyone is welcome to participate in this event that has been running for more than 30 years. Visit their website for more information, or call (704) 841-1990. 

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