Air Chamber USA has reported that sales of its “no touch” auto storage system are climbing as Americans begin to prepare their collector cars for winter storage. After the introduction of the portable, controlled-environment storage system earlier this year, purchases have spiked by owners of collector, exotic, high performance and luxury automobiles from the British manufacturer’s North America arm.

“Old Man Winter is returning and bringing with him cold, wet weather that can damage a collector car faster than Santa can drop down the chimney,” said Graham Horder, Managing Director of Airflow, the parent company of Air Chamber USA. “While enthusiasts may feel blue because it’s time to park their Porsche 911, Mustang, ‘Cuda, Ferrari or other car for the winter, those frightening shades of brown rust are the colors they may see next spring unless they properly stable their vehicle.”

From a controlled environment and dry storage to airflow, there are many ways to preserve a vehicle. Why is Air Chamber the best approach? The answer lies in understanding how rust forms.

“Rust starts when iron and oxygen combine in the presence of water,” explained Horder. “When water comes in contact with iron, it combines with the oxygen in the air to form a weak acid called ferrous oxide, or that reddish brown rust. And because rust’s molecules are larger than those of steel, it grows inwardly, eventually pervading the thickness of a vehicle, degrading its structural integrity and flaking into rust.”

To prevent rust from forming, it is critical to eliminate its exposure to water. From washings to exposure to the natural elements, water is all around.  More insidiously, water occurs in normal air as water vapor. The rate of transformation depends on the temperature of the air.

“The amount of water vapor that air can contain at 90°F is twice that at 70°F,” noted Horder. “When air cools, water turns into condensation. That moisture will form on any car in a garage, unless it is permanently heated to the temperature of the air outside. And condensation occurs in every cranny.”

A heated, well sealed-garage is often considered to be the safest method of preventing condensation, but they’re expensive to build, maintain and operate. And garages can actually promote condensation.

According to Horder, “Imagine a perfect winter’s day with dry roads and crisp, blue skies. While enjoying a brisk drive, the engine compartment and most of the interior will heat up; the rest of the chassis and sheet metal will cool to air temperature. However, shortly after returning to a warm garage, condensation will set in and rust begins its destructive process.”

The solution is to create a sealed environment and draw out the moisture, as well as dust. Air Chamber is a practical and effective product based on that principle. A cross between a tent, a transparent car cover and a portable garage, Air Chamber is a significant departure from traditional auto covers that lay on top of vehicles, leaving scratches and marring paint finishes.

An inner semi rigid frame allows the chamber to stand up; once in place, a collector car travels in and out with ease. Small fans blow ambient air into the Air Chamber, which supplies a constantly moving airflow. This also prevents other types of winter storage damage like mildew, which can form when fabric and leather get damp in stagnant air. An Air Chamber typically operates for only around $50 per year.

“Bubble” systems just re-circulate air within a capsule, which only traps existing moisture inside with the vehicle. They are also inconvenient to use and tend to scratch the surface of a vehicle when being dragged across the vehicle before they inflate, which defeats their purpose.

“It’s tempting to put your head in the snow and think winter can’t get your vehicle because the last restoration was so good that rust can’t happen,” stated Horder. “Body shops will love you for it. After all, they know those delicate snowflakes can eventually lead to a new kind of flaking on your collector car.”

About Air Chamber USA

Air Chamber USA is a wholly owned division of Oxfordshire, England-based Airflow International. The company manufactures and distributes “Air Chamber,” which is the ultimate portable, controlled-environment storage system that protects collector, exotic, high performance and luxury vehicles from rust, mildew, dust, molds and accidental contact. Additional information is available at www.airchamber.us or by contacting Aaron Cook at (214) 520-3430 ext. 302.

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