How Cold Is Too Cold?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 603
Likes: 2
From: Illinois, USA
How Cold Is Too Cold?
Up here in the great white nort - it's starting to get cold (insert joke about halloween costumes fitting over a snow suit here), and I'm curious how cold is too cold?
I know that cold is bad for fiberglass, but what I don't know is if there a threshold of packing it in? This winter, my vette will hibernate in my attached garage that is not heated, but I figured if it's protected from the elements, it should be ok -- right?
Thanks, in advance, for your cold weather wisdom.
Brian.
I know that cold is bad for fiberglass, but what I don't know is if there a threshold of packing it in? This winter, my vette will hibernate in my attached garage that is not heated, but I figured if it's protected from the elements, it should be ok -- right?
Thanks, in advance, for your cold weather wisdom.
Brian.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,135
Likes: 1
mine goes in hibernation after this novembers vette fest,,,once i see them salting,,she doesnt come out till mid april,,even on a nice winter day,if theres any salt no go,,as far as cold and fiberglass i wouldnt worryshe wont crack like a egg on a bump!!
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 603
Likes: 2
From: Illinois, USA
Yeah, I'm sure I'd think of the salt thing the very first time my street becomes a permanent salt lick for the season.
I'm glad to see cold really isn't the worst of the problems. I guess I had figured that at any temperature, an impact would damage the body, so cold shouldn't be so much worser
I want to keep my car available so I can do some work on it over the "off" season. I just started installing weatherstripping last night, and after only a few hours, managed to get the old one off 1 T-Top
The good news is, I've got some time to do it all ...its amazing how this forum makes you think you can do the impossible! 
Thanks for the information, as always.
Brian.
I'm glad to see cold really isn't the worst of the problems. I guess I had figured that at any temperature, an impact would damage the body, so cold shouldn't be so much worser
I want to keep my car available so I can do some work on it over the "off" season. I just started installing weatherstripping last night, and after only a few hours, managed to get the old one off 1 T-Top
The good news is, I've got some time to do it all ...its amazing how this forum makes you think you can do the impossible! Thanks for the information, as always.
Brian.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
Originally Posted by C3nMe
U
I know that cold is bad for fiberglass, but what I don't know is if there a threshold of packing it in?
I know that cold is bad for fiberglass, but what I don't know is if there a threshold of packing it in?
All major manufacturers made snowmobile cowlings out of this material at one time.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 10,643
Likes: 8
From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
Originally Posted by Mike Ward
I'd like to know who started the myth that cold is bad for fibreglass.......
All major manufacturers made snowmobile cowlings out of this material at one time.
All major manufacturers made snowmobile cowlings out of this material at one time.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 603
Likes: 2
From: Illinois, USA
I do know that fiberglass is more brittle the colder it gets, but I guess that depends on what it's made with and other factors. We never had our fiberglass hull boat in the water in the winter.
Still, my first time with a vette and I'd hate to be posting in the forum about stupid things done to your vette
Brian.
Still, my first time with a vette and I'd hate to be posting in the forum about stupid things done to your vette
Brian.
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Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,469
Likes: 6
From: 68 427 4.11s Roadster
I've seen boats on lake ontario in the middle of winter. So its not an issue. Also most are stored outside and don't shatter.
I do know from personal experience that a cold morning with almost frost isn't a good idea.
I saw my Tach needle start to climb then it began spinning. Before I could stop the needle broke in half. I think dew turned to frost inside the air draggin gizmo that drives the tach needle. Its the only thing I can think of why it acted like it did. Cold cold morning too. Must have been close enough to turn the dew to frost.
Drove my Vette in mid january once, but that was cheating it was 70* outside and so unusual just had to do it. last year it was in the teens. 
I do know from personal experience that a cold morning with almost frost isn't a good idea.
I saw my Tach needle start to climb then it began spinning. Before I could stop the needle broke in half. I think dew turned to frost inside the air draggin gizmo that drives the tach needle. Its the only thing I can think of why it acted like it did. Cold cold morning too. Must have been close enough to turn the dew to frost.
Drove my Vette in mid january once, but that was cheating it was 70* outside and so unusual just had to do it.
last year it was in the teens.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 603
Likes: 2
From: Illinois, USA
I'm sure my winter driving will be limited, but the experiences are very helpful!
By the way, my wife loves your avatar Techno -- she has several of those "HUGE NOSE" experiences with our shepherd on a routine basis. I often say she's 20% nose by volume
Brian.
By the way, my wife loves your avatar Techno -- she has several of those "HUGE NOSE" experiences with our shepherd on a routine basis. I often say she's 20% nose by volume
Brian.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,000
Likes: 22
From: Boulder Creek California
Cold shouldn't keep you in, but the salt might. Weatherstripping on the other hand... hope you have a warm garage!
Also, weird experience with the tach! I've driven on some very very sub-freezing days and once the car is warmed up, everything acts normally.
-Chris
Also, weird experience with the tach! I've driven on some very very sub-freezing days and once the car is warmed up, everything acts normally.
-Chris
