Someone was telling me the other day that although there may be no snow or ice on the ground you still have to be careful driving a Vette during winter months because when it's cold (30-40 degrees) the fiberglass becomes brittle and can crack! Does anyone know if this is true or just something that happened with older cars before the wonders of modern technology? I ask because I am moving to NC soon and am hoping for year round driving. Thanks

 

Hey fellow Livonian! I don't believe this to be true, my boat and jet skis are fiberglass and they sit out all winter (covered of course) and I've never had an issue. My Vette is sitting outside this winter because I need my garage space for another project, and I'm not concerned at all about it cracking. In fact, it sat outside in my driveway last winter for about a month and got snowed on, and nothing happened.

 

I suppose there is SOME validity to what you heard since everything gets more brittle as it gets cold. I recently saw a TV show where a guy put a rubber ball in liquid nitrogen and then shattered it by throwing it on the floor. But unless you are going to drive through a liquid nitrogen rain storm, I think you'll be OK. Regardless of season, I don't drive mine in the rain or snow -- that's what the F-250 is for -- but I do drive mine in the winter when the roads are dry. I am all ears if someone knows better than I.

PS: Are you sure that warning was not concerning the tires rather than the fiberglass?

 

First - C5's are NOT fiberglass.

 

Well don't leave us hanging... what are they then? (I thought all Vettes were glass). And what's second?

 

 

They have tops so that your baseball cap doesn't fly off your head when speeds reach triple digits.

 

The car is composite not fiberglass.

 

that someone was full of crap

 

Well, I'll be! That makes sense... stronger and lighter. My C2 was fiberglass. My C4 was fiberglass. So I just assumed! Thanks for the education.

 

As is typical with much of this forum, this is incorrect.

C5s are primarily made from Sheet Molded Composite/Compound (SMC). SMC is a form of fiberglass.

From http://manufacturing-fabrication.glo...27&sectionid=1
Sheet molding compound (SMC) is a process in which a layer of fiberglass material is sandwiched between 2 layers of thermoset polyester resin and extruded into flat sheets. The sheets are pressed into final form by heated molds.

 

SMC - Sheet Molded Composite. Even the old Fiberglass was not a problem in the cols-it was AGE that made the fiberglass brittle.

 

Secondly it's

 

Learn something new every day.

 

Here is all you need to know on the body panels.
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/tech/c5/smc.html

 

Document ID# 220779
2000 Chevrolet/Geo Corvette


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Plastic Identification and Refinishing Systems
Identifying Symbol - Old Symbol in ( )'s
Chemical Composition or Plastic Family Name
Typical Area(s) Where Part is Used
Examples of Common/Trade Names
Type of Plastic

ABS
Acrylonitrile/ Butadiene-Styrene
Armrest Support, Console, IPC, Steering Column Bracket/Jacket, Trim Molding
ABS, Absafil, Magnum, Cycolac, Dyel, Kralastic, Lustran
Thermoplastic

ABS + PC
Acrylonitrile/ Butadiene-Styrene + Polycarbonate
Instrument Panel, IPC
Bayblend, Cycoloy, KHA, Pulse
Rigid

ABS/PVC
ABS/Vinyl (Soft)
Head Rest Cover, Instrument Panel Pad, Trim Molding/Panel
ABS Vinyl
Flexible, Vinyl

EPDM
Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer
Body Panel, Bumper Impact Strip
EPDM, Nordel
Rigid

EVA (EVAC)
Ethylene/Vinyl Acetate
Head Rest Cover, Misc Soft Trim
Elvax, Microthane
Flexible

PA
Polyamide
Headlamp Bezels, Quarter Panel Extensions, Exterior Finish Trim Panels
Nylon, Capron, Zytel, Rilsan, minion, Vydyne, Welland
Rigid

PA, PAG, PAGG
Polyamide
Exterior Finish Trim Panel, Headlamp Bezel, Quarter Panel Extension
Capron, Minlon, Nylon, Rilsan, Vydyne, Wellamid, Zytel
Rigid, Thermoset

PA + PPE
Polymide + Polypheneylene Ether
Exterior Trim, Fender
GTX
Rigid, Thermoset

PBT + TEEE (PBTP + EEBC)
Polybutylene, Terephthalate + Ether, Ester Block Compound
Fascia, Rocker Panel Molding
Bexloy M
Rigid

PC
Polycarbonate
Interior Rigid/Hard Trim Panel, Valance Panel
Calibre, Lexan, Merlon, Makrolon
Rigid, Thermoset

PC + PETP
Polycarbonate + Polybutylene, Terephthalate
Bumper Fascia
Macroblend, Valox, Xenoy
Flexible, Thermoset

PE
Polyethylene
Fuel Tank Shield, Inner Fender Panel, Interior Trim Panel, Seat Belt Cover, Spoiler, Valance
Alathon, Dylan, Foriflex, Hi-fax, Hosalen, Marlex, Paxon
Rigid, Thermoplastic

PF
Phenol Formaldehyde
Ashtray
Amberol, Bakelite, Durez, Genal, Phenolic, Plyophen, Resinox
Rigid, Thermoset

PP
Polypropylene
Bumper Fascia, Cowl Panel, Deflector Panel, Door Panel, Inner Fender, Interior Molding, Kick Panel, Load Floor, Radiator Shroud, Wheel Cover
Azdel, Daplen, Escorene, Marlex, Novolen, Oleflo, Profax, Tenite
Flexible, Thermoplastic

PPE (PPO)
Polyphenylene Ether
Bezels, Chromed Plastic, Headlamp Door, Ornaments
Noryl, Oleflo, Prevex
Rigid, Thermoset

PS
Polystyrene
Dash Panel, Door Panel
Durathon, Dylan, Lustrex, Polystyrol, Styron
Flexible, Soft

PUR
Polyurethane, Thermoset (Unsaturated)
Bumper Fascia, Filler Panel, Front/Rear Body Panel, Pickup Box
Bayflex, Castethane, RIM, RRIM, SRIM
Thermoset

PVC
Polyvinyl Chloride (Vinyl)
Interior Soft Trim, I/P Skins, Roof Cover
Geon, Pliovic, Unichem, Vinoflex, Vinyl, Vinylite
Flexible, Vinyl

SAN (SA)
Styrene Acrylonitrite
Center Console, Glove Box Door, Interior Trim Panel
Foracryl, Lustran, Tyril
Rigid

TEO (EP, EPM, TPO)
Ethylene/Propylene (Rubber)
Air Dam, Bumper Fascia, Valance Panel
EPI, EPII, TPO, TPR (Thermoplastic Rubber)
Flexible, Thermoplastic

TPO
Thermal Plastic Oletin
Bumper Covers
TPO
Flexible, Thermoplastic

TPU (TPUR)
Polyurethane, Polyolefin
Bumper Fascia, Gravel Deflector, Soft Filler Panel, Window Molding
Estane, Pellethane, Roylar, Toxin
Flexible, Thermoplastic

UP
Polyester/Thermoset
Air Scoop, Air Spoiler, Fascia Extension, Hood, Instrument Housing, Rear Compartment Lid, Roof, Ventilation Grid
Fiberglass, Premi-glass, Selectron, SMC, Vibrinmat
Rigid, Thermoset

 

I agree with the other posts. I can also say I drove a 67 all winter long in Nebraska (major cold winters) when I was a kid and it never cracked. Well, except when I hit that road sign.

 

 

That was quite a bit of useful and interesting information, thanks so much to everyone. I kinda figured the guy was full of it but ya never know till ya ask. Now I just gotta keep an eye out for the dreaded Black Ice.

 

Holy Shiites, I feel like a Chemist after that education