Unpopular opinion: the $12 box fan in my garage did more for my stored car than the $300 cover
I keep my 1998 Civic in a detached garage in Phoenix and for two summers I fought rust spots and a musty smell every time I pulled the cover off. Back in June I got fed up and tried something dumb: I skipped the cover entirely and just set a $12 box fan on low, pointed at the passenger side, running 24/7. Three months later the smell is gone, the floor pans are dry, and my neighbor asked if I'd had the car detailed. What I think happened is the cover was trapping heat and moisture in a loop under the roof, and the fan just keeps fresh air moving so nothing sits. My power bill went up maybe $9 for the whole summer, way less than what I paid for that breathable cover. I get that not everyone has a garage with power, so has anyone tried this with a solar vent or a small dehumidifier instead? Curious what actually worked for you.