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How to control moisture/rust in a garage

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bighealeysource

bighealeysource

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Hey All,
Thought I would see if anyone has suggestions on how to
handle moisture/humidity in a small heated and cooled
garage. I live on the coast in South Carolina so have to
be real concerned with salt air and moisture. I have built out
a small garage big enough to fit my Healey. Got a heat
and a/c vent in it but not insulated right now so just keeping
the temp from hitting freezing during this current cold snap.
Thought about a dehumidifier or some type of air exchanger.
Know a car capsule would be a good solution but not in the
cards due to my wife not wanting a huge bubble under the
house - we're on piers. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Mike
 
I live in Oregon and have seen the damage first hand from salt air so I understand the worry.I think you are on the right track. I wonder if a sacrificial anode might be the trick, you know like the boat motors have for use in salt water, they corrode first before anything else does.
Just my 2 Pence
 
If the car is covered with a non porous cover and the cover comes clear to the floor, put two lit 100 watt bulbs underneath the car, mounted on something that will keep the bulbs off the floor. If you have no reflector, use a square of heavy duty aluminum foil under the bulb. My car was in a 30X70 foot metal barn. It worked for me and no moisture was present at any time, which usually happens when we get a warm day after a freeze. PJ
 
Britishautobody said:
I wonder if a sacrificial anode might be the trick, you know like the boat motors have for use in salt water, they corrode first before anything else does.
Just my 2 Pence
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, a sacrificial anode works because it's surrounded by a conductive medium (water) which acts as an electrolyte. Air does not conduct well enough for the same effect to take place.

Make sure your garage is well sealed, not a lot of air movement in or out, then use one of those stand-alone room air filters, the kind with the fan and the replaceable filter element.

The heat and A/C should keep the moisture level down, and the filter should remove any airborne salt particles.

Wash down the floor and any counter tops regularly, since the filter won't catch any salt that lands on these surfaces.
 
Hey all,
Thanks for the suggestion about trying to save my Healey from the tin monster.
I have the small garage sealed up pretty tight and have it heated and cooled.
When it was 30+ outside here - and that is cold for coastal South Carolina,
temp inside stayed around 50 -60 degrees. The walls are not insulated so might
add that too. Of course when I open the door, I lose my somewhat controlled
environment but still beats letting it sit out in the open. I have seen
an exhaust fan that recirculates the air so might look into that.
Many thanks,
Mike
 
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