Beach Question
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,452
Likes: 1
From: Richmond VA
Beach Question
Greetings from Nags Head everybody! First off let me say that "Catherine" performed beautifully on the way down here! I guess she knows how critical the gas situation is right now and she blessed me with 28-30 mpg all the way down!
Now on to my question: In the past when I went to the beach in the Mustang and then returned home, I knew it was important to wash the salt off of the car and I always went to a car wash with an undercarriage wash. How do I wash the undercarriage in the vette with out (a) going through a car wash and (b) getting the opti wet? Is this even something I need to worry about or am I just being paranoid?
(Gee, I guess that's three questions, sorry!)
Michael (smoking cigars and drinking beer in paradise)
Now on to my question: In the past when I went to the beach in the Mustang and then returned home, I knew it was important to wash the salt off of the car and I always went to a car wash with an undercarriage wash. How do I wash the undercarriage in the vette with out (a) going through a car wash and (b) getting the opti wet? Is this even something I need to worry about or am I just being paranoid?
(Gee, I guess that's three questions, sorry!)
Michael (smoking cigars and drinking beer in paradise)
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,475
Likes: 270
From: Kingman AZ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Cruise-In VIII
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Per Gordon Killebrew. Do not take a C4 through the automatic car wash. I can't remember why he said it in his class but he did say it. I think he was talking about the kind that pushes the car through the spinning brushes though. I think one of those no-touch lazer washes where the spray wand goes around the car while it sits still would be OK. I have seen many of these that will wash your undercarriage. Sorta like a bidet for your lady! 
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 57,805
Likes: 23
From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
CI-II Burnout & Drag Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
I haven't washed underneath any of my cars ever, and I've been through every kind of weather imagineable. No harm so far.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,789
Likes: 8
From: Myrtle Beach SC
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
I just toss an extra $1.50 into the wand wash and start low waaaay low and work up.I have even sprayed gunk cleaner(intake leak) to clean up the mess down there and gone down to the wash.I always leave it running while I wash her.I even pop the hood and get those front areas in the bay .I did it this way last winter too even before I got the dynaspark and now I can do the whole engine without trouble.Wand wash what a concept and money maker.
P.S. I was in Duck last year I love the OBX.Went to V.Beach this year and it was a blast too.Party Hardy
P.S. I was in Duck last year I love the OBX.Went to V.Beach this year and it was a blast too.Party Hardy
Last edited by Redeasysport; Sep 5, 2005 at 11:57 AM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,452
Likes: 1
From: Richmond VA
Sorry guys, I going to be quick as I have a hangover this morning. Redeasy, thanks again for the reply. You're fast on your way to becoming another Bogus! (You're still cool too Andy!)
Mojo, you're not worried about your exhaust pipes corroding from salt and that snowmelt chemical crap that they drop in the winter? BTW, are you coming to the fall skyline cruise? I've been on one forum cruise already, but it would nice to see other C4s besides me and Kanmer!
Mojo, you're not worried about your exhaust pipes corroding from salt and that snowmelt chemical crap that they drop in the winter? BTW, are you coming to the fall skyline cruise? I've been on one forum cruise already, but it would nice to see other C4s besides me and Kanmer!
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 771
Likes: 0
From: Washington District of Columbia
Originally Posted by KnightmareVette
Greetings from Nags Head everybody! First off let me say that "Catherine" performed beautifully on the way down here! I guess she knows how critical the gas situation is right now and she blessed me with 28-30 mpg all the way down!
Now on to my question: In the past when I went to the beach in the Mustang and then returned home, I knew it was important to wash the salt off of the car and I always went to a car wash with an undercarriage wash. How do I wash the undercarriage in the vette with out (a) going through a car wash and (b) getting the opti wet? Is this even something I need to worry about or am I just being paranoid?
(Gee, I guess that's three questions, sorry!)
Michael (smoking cigars and drinking beer in paradise)
Now on to my question: In the past when I went to the beach in the Mustang and then returned home, I knew it was important to wash the salt off of the car and I always went to a car wash with an undercarriage wash. How do I wash the undercarriage in the vette with out (a) going through a car wash and (b) getting the opti wet? Is this even something I need to worry about or am I just being paranoid?
(Gee, I guess that's three questions, sorry!)
Michael (smoking cigars and drinking beer in paradise)
TIME —OPTI & ALL — NO PROBLEMS.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 1
From: Jacksonville FL
DO NOT USE A CALIFORNIA DUSTER ON SAND!!!!!!!!!
Can I be anymore emphatic than that? Seriously though the California duster is for well......dust. It is electrostaticly charged to attract the dust to it and remove it from your car.
You will seriously scratch the paint if you use it to brush off sand.
Time to brake out the hose and bucket.
Can I be anymore emphatic than that? Seriously though the California duster is for well......dust. It is electrostaticly charged to attract the dust to it and remove it from your car.
You will seriously scratch the paint if you use it to brush off sand.
Time to brake out the hose and bucket.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,968
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From: Biloxi MS Theres something happenin' here, What it is ain't exactly clear.....
crank up the aircompressor and blow the sand off or wash it -
Ive never put water on the engine . I tend to wash the engine with a rag and airline. Just goes with havin the OptiSpark.
Before the hurricane, we would have lots of sand to deal with on the engine bay and wheel wells after cruising down Hwy 90.
Ive never put water on the engine . I tend to wash the engine with a rag and airline. Just goes with havin the OptiSpark.
Before the hurricane, we would have lots of sand to deal with on the engine bay and wheel wells after cruising down Hwy 90.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,452
Likes: 1
From: Richmond VA
Originally Posted by Midnite 88
DO NOT USE A CALIFORNIA DUSTER ON SAND!!!!!!!!!
Can I be anymore emphatic than that? Seriously though the California duster is for well......dust. It is electrostaticly charged to attract the dust to it and remove it from your car.
You will seriously scratch the paint if you use it to brush off sand.
Time to brake out the hose and bucket.
Can I be anymore emphatic than that? Seriously though the California duster is for well......dust. It is electrostaticly charged to attract the dust to it and remove it from your car.
You will seriously scratch the paint if you use it to brush off sand.
Time to brake out the hose and bucket.
Rain, glad to see that you're okay. And to be honest I didn't think about sand getting into the engine bay! Whereabouts?
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 57,805
Likes: 23
From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
CI-II Burnout & Drag Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
I've changed exhausts so many times that's not a problem, besides every LT1 on the planet leaks oil, that provides a protective film under the car.
I even drove my car through a 6" deep puddle that may have been salt water(road was flooded near the bay) and still no ill effects and that was two years ago.
As for what they drop on the road for winter, driving in teh rain usually solves that problem, but as I mentioned, every single car I've owned and all the UPS trucks I've driven have never been cleaned underneath(except for the occasional wipe down after an oil change) and I've never seen anything to worry about.
I even drove my car through a 6" deep puddle that may have been salt water(road was flooded near the bay) and still no ill effects and that was two years ago.
As for what they drop on the road for winter, driving in teh rain usually solves that problem, but as I mentioned, every single car I've owned and all the UPS trucks I've driven have never been cleaned underneath(except for the occasional wipe down after an oil change) and I've never seen anything to worry about.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,452
Likes: 1
From: Richmond VA
Originally Posted by Mr Mojo
I've changed exhausts so many times that's not a problem, besides every LT1 on the planet leaks oil, that provides a protective film under the car.
I even drove my car through a 6" deep puddle that may have been salt water(road was flooded near the bay) and still no ill effects and that was two years ago.
As for what they drop on the road for winter, driving in teh rain usually solves that problem, but as I mentioned, every single car I've owned and all the UPS trucks I've driven have never been cleaned underneath(except for the occasional wipe down after an oil change) and I've never seen anything to worry about.
I even drove my car through a 6" deep puddle that may have been salt water(road was flooded near the bay) and still no ill effects and that was two years ago.
As for what they drop on the road for winter, driving in teh rain usually solves that problem, but as I mentioned, every single car I've owned and all the UPS trucks I've driven have never been cleaned underneath(except for the occasional wipe down after an oil change) and I've never seen anything to worry about.
Last edited by KnightmareVette; Sep 5, 2005 at 02:25 PM. Reason: Poor grammar due to Posting under the Influence.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
My '88 was a CA car till early 2000 when I bought and drove it to SE NY.
I had never cleaned under the car, except for wheel wells. A month ago I dropped the tire carrier to install new rear sway bar bushings and noticed some white flaky stuff on the rear cross member, so I sanded it well and painted what I could reach. There was even a little corrosion starting on the fuel tank so that too got a coat of paint. And I left the tire carrier off for easy access to the parts under there.
During winter driving I use the commercial power wash; now I'll be able to reach the rear under carriage too.
These cars are still subject to some corrosion but it's tough getting at the under carriage.
I had never cleaned under the car, except for wheel wells. A month ago I dropped the tire carrier to install new rear sway bar bushings and noticed some white flaky stuff on the rear cross member, so I sanded it well and painted what I could reach. There was even a little corrosion starting on the fuel tank so that too got a coat of paint. And I left the tire carrier off for easy access to the parts under there.
During winter driving I use the commercial power wash; now I'll be able to reach the rear under carriage too.
These cars are still subject to some corrosion but it's tough getting at the under carriage.
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 57,805
Likes: 23
From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
CI-II Burnout & Drag Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by KnightmareVette
I guess I'll be okay then. But I still have to be a little more careful Mojo, because unlike you, If my Vette breaks, I don't have a spare!
I just had the car in the air, changing the fuel filter and taking a look around, it's much cleaner than it usually is, I guess all teh rain we've had did some good after all.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,452
Likes: 1
From: Richmond VA
I know I should let this thread die, but I've got just a few more questions guys, so please bear with me.
There is even more sand on my car today, I was able to spray some of it off, but I'm now wondering if the sand will affect my power window motors. I sprayed off as much as I can, but it still sounds like the glass is scraping against grit when I roll them down. Will I have to remove the door panels to clean out all of the sand out?
I really believe this is the last week long trip to the beach for my beloved "Catherine".
Thanks again for everything guys!
Michael
There is even more sand on my car today, I was able to spray some of it off, but I'm now wondering if the sand will affect my power window motors. I sprayed off as much as I can, but it still sounds like the glass is scraping against grit when I roll them down. Will I have to remove the door panels to clean out all of the sand out?
I really believe this is the last week long trip to the beach for my beloved "Catherine".
Thanks again for everything guys!
Michael
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,789
Likes: 8
From: Myrtle Beach SC
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Are you sure your outer window strip is not rubbing against the window?Do you have little scratches on the outside of the window near the mirror?If so the weather strip will need to be replaced.You will not get much cleaning done by removing the panel.Just power wash along the bottom of the window is about all you can do.And do not use ANY petroleum based lube on the windows either it will cause your window guide to break don't ask how I found out.