Audi A4 parked outside during Hurricane Frances--advice?

Hey, guys. I went back to the garage at City Hall today and the police officer let me in. I parked on the third floor (out of four total) on the inside aisle near the center (center from a bird's eye view, that is). I used one roll of masking tape, six large cotton bath towels, one king/queen size microfiber blanket, my car cover, and some nylon rope. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to tie it front to back--only side to side over the roof, hood, and trunk--but I'm hoping it will be okay! I didn't use the cable lock because I was afraid that the lock would hit + ding the car.



Thanks again to all of you people who posted advice for me!!



I'll try to put up some pictures in a bit.
 
I bet you wish you were back in California now don't you! HA! Just bustin his balls guys cause he's going to be one of my groomsmen, best man actually. He's only been there for a few months and he's already had to deal with Charlie and now Frances. Good luck with all that bro, I'll be praying for your car....and I guess you to, but mostly your car :p
 
Glad to hear you found a spot in the garage. My parents live in Palm Coast so they are pretty close to you. Hopefully you guys will get lucky again and miss the worst of the storm. I was down there during Charley. It wasn't that bad, but this one is coming from the east so anything can happen. My parents' garage has reinforcing bars designed to withstand 140+mph winds so hopefully they will work if things get bad. I can imagine what a blown in garage door can do to a vehicle. :scared
 
Just a little update: Here are two pictures of my car in different stages of preparation for the storm. I know, I know, there are some shortcomings in my preparation, but I'm hoping I (and my car) will be forgiven. :D
 

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I'm not sure if that method of typing the cover will work. I can't tie the figure 8 without help but I've tied a cover several times similar to that and a strong thunder storm weaked the hold and even picked up the rope all together. I now have pretty thick ( I guess marine grade) cord and you have to try to cross the rope over on the roof then around the trunk and hood ( hard to explain) Your sorta trying to tie a big 8 shape knot over the car.



Maybe other who are a lot better in explaining and actually tying can chime in to try to help more. Everyone in FL is in my thoughts and prayers.
 
I'm not sure if this is what you mean by a figure 8, but I thought about tying it in a way that would end up looking like an X. However, without any help, I thought it was going to be too difficult. As for the rope, is the marine grade stuff you're talking about nonabrasive?
 
Yeah, the 8 sorta resembles an X. My disclaimer about the thick rope is that I use two covers, but with your mfs over your finish and if your knot is nice and secure, it shouldn't move that much to possibly induce marring. Perhaps they also make a vinyl coated version? I really hope everything comes out ok.
 
ALAN81 said:
SECOND you can park underground most places have DRAINAGE so there will be water but not as much as you think. All this is good infornation GOOD LUCK
Click to expand...



haha my friends mom in Taiwan parked her Peugeot 406 coupe up on ground lever because they were worried about flooding, ends up the streets flooded but not the underground parking garage... car got drowned, needed alot of work after that



good luck, I'm glad I always had parking garages in Taiwan when the typhoons came
 
I just want to thank everyone again for all the helpful advice. I went to pick up my car yesterday, and it didn't even look like the cover had moved! There was a little moisture in the towels, but otherwise, the whole package was in great shape.



Also, I just ordered some detailing supplies from Autogeek. My plan for the coming weekend, assuming that they arrive by then and that Hurricane Ivan doesn't, is to use the following: Clay Magic, Poorboy's Polish (the one without carnuba), Meguiar's #20 Poly Sealant, Meguiar's #16 Paste Wax. I'm a newbie to the detailing process, so any advice is appreciated. I'll try to post pics once I'm done!
 
That's a Relief! I'm so happy to hear first, you are ok and second, your car is too! :bounce :bounce :xyxthumbs
 
The electricity in my county has been off for 60 hours and is not expected to be restored until next Tuesday (the 14th). Even if I had a porter cable, I wouldn't be able to use it. :p
 
Bill, I'm in central Florida, about 30 minutes inland from Daytona Beach. Hurricane Ivan is supposed to hit us in a few days; looks like I'll have to go through this entire process all over again!
 
~One man’s opinion / observations~



piblondin- I’m glad it worked out for you, I would have said the car cover would mar the surface/be torn off due to the storm winds. I usually remove my car cover but I think I’ll try your method for Ivan next week



Good luck (we only lost electricity for a few days (NE FL) can’t imagine being without electricity for the length of time you have endured so far)



~Hope this helps~



Knowledge unshared is experience wasted

justadumbarchitect / so I question everything/ Jon
 
I would suggest blue painters tape, and put some padding where the ropes crossing the car.



I would prefer some marring over a broken glass or dented car.





Bad luck for Florida this year. 4 hurricanes in 1 season, in 1 month

:eek:
 
Find the same place to park and quadruple up your padding and cords! Ivan's supposed to be worse than Andrew from what I saw and heard today.



Would a tarp on top of the padding help out before the car cover goes on? I imagine it would be fine if you covered the whole thing with towels, and it may provide extra protection toward water intrusion if it gets past the car cover. As for cords, see if you can get some tie down straps and put the ratcheting part underneath the car and secure it.



I hope this helps, and good luck with Ivan the Terrible!
 
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