Beach relocation and Vettes
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 290
Likes: 0
From: Palmetto FL
Beach relocation and Vettes
Hi everyone. I do not post here often, but had an odd question. We are considering moving to the beach in NC within the year (OBX), and I am going to buy a C5 (that I have been waiting for 5 years to get) either sometime this fall or right after we move. In your opinion, is beach-living harmful to the undercarriage and suspension of a car? Either way it would be garage kept and well cared for.
I have heard in the past that you don’t buy a nice car when living by the ocean but I always thought if true it was in reference to typical metal-body cars.
I have heard in the past that you don’t buy a nice car when living by the ocean but I always thought if true it was in reference to typical metal-body cars.
CF Community Team
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From: Cape Cod, Mass.
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My cars have been near the ocean for many years with no problems. As long as it's garaged you won't have a problem especially with a C5 undercarriage. It's humidity that gets to the older Corvette frames as well as salt on the roads up North.
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 331
Likes: 0
From: Windham NH
I'd not be overly concerned with undercarriage issues from living on the water. I can tell you after spending 7 mos. in Portland ME, though, that you cannot overestimate the potential for seagull hits and clearcoat damage if left unattended throughout a day baking in the sun.
You wouldn't believe the corrosives in seagull turds. The few days I took the Vette with me, I always carried detailing spray and cloths. Dis-gusting. Dive bombers from 30 feet or so tend to splash well beyond original impact zone, too. Gotta get it off before it sets up and have a very well polished car to begin with.
Seriously, you need to have a garage and be aware of what can happen during the day. It's not the occasional pigeon. It's perpetually-present flying rats.
Good luck,
Dave
You wouldn't believe the corrosives in seagull turds. The few days I took the Vette with me, I always carried detailing spray and cloths. Dis-gusting. Dive bombers from 30 feet or so tend to splash well beyond original impact zone, too. Gotta get it off before it sets up and have a very well polished car to begin with.
Seriously, you need to have a garage and be aware of what can happen during the day. It's not the occasional pigeon. It's perpetually-present flying rats.
Good luck,
Dave
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,866
Likes: 45
From: Tampa Bay, Go BUCS!!!Go Rays!!!Go Lightning!!!
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
Sand!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Blowing sand will be worse than the sea salt air. Never leave it outside uncovered and NEVER NEVER NEVER try to brush the sand off!!! Rinse it and then dry. If you get a salt spray on it, do the same thing. Rinse generously.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9,526
Likes: 12
From: Los Angeles California
I was about to move to the beach here in Southern California, when the owner of the house told me that the salt water in the air really messes with her car. She said on cold mornings, it's hard to get her front window clear (I'm assuming that she's talking about salty frost), but that she's also seen rust under 2 of her cars.
I decided that since I was buying the Vette it wasn't a good idea to move there.
I decided that since I was buying the Vette it wasn't a good idea to move there.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 290
Likes: 0
From: Palmetto FL
Thanks for all of your responses, it is much appreciated.
We were in the Outer Banks in mid-July for a week in our freshly polished mini-van and all was good until one night there was a strange mist blowing around that put a greasy film all over the vehicle. I saw that other vehicles around were impacted by this film all as well. It took a lot of Windex to get the windshield clear, then dust, dirt and sand stuck to it! I have seen that before at the beach, but no biggie.
I hope this is not a regular occurrence there...
Now to start thinking about getting the car
We were in the Outer Banks in mid-July for a week in our freshly polished mini-van and all was good until one night there was a strange mist blowing around that put a greasy film all over the vehicle. I saw that other vehicles around were impacted by this film all as well. It took a lot of Windex to get the windshield clear, then dust, dirt and sand stuck to it! I have seen that before at the beach, but no biggie.
I hope this is not a regular occurrence there...
Now to start thinking about getting the car
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9,526
Likes: 12
From: Los Angeles California
Thanks for all of your responses, it is much appreciated.
We were in the Outer Banks in mid-July for a week in our freshly polished mini-van and all was good until one night there was a strange mist blowing around that put a greasy film all over the vehicle. I saw that other vehicles around were impacted by this film all as well. It took a lot of Windex to get the windshield clear, then dust, dirt and sand stuck to it! I have seen that before at the beach, but no biggie.
I hope this is not a regular occurrence there...
Now to start thinking about getting the car
We were in the Outer Banks in mid-July for a week in our freshly polished mini-van and all was good until one night there was a strange mist blowing around that put a greasy film all over the vehicle. I saw that other vehicles around were impacted by this film all as well. It took a lot of Windex to get the windshield clear, then dust, dirt and sand stuck to it! I have seen that before at the beach, but no biggie.
I hope this is not a regular occurrence there...
Now to start thinking about getting the car
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,754
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From: Nokomis FL
Racer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 258
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles CA
Living 2 blocks from the ocean, the salt air absolutely destroyed my beautifully polished wheels on a CBR 1000 I had (it was covered outside, but the wheels were still exposed), but I never had any issues with my cars stored inside the garage. Beach living is the way to go, enjoy it!
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 10,783
Likes: 15
From: Hurricane Alley
Ive been living in FL near the beach for about nine years and had the Vette for six years with no salt problems. Its always in the gargae though unless being driven. 
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,600
Likes: 2
From: Outer banks North Carolina
Wellcome to the beach!
I,ve lived here [outer banks] for 10 years after moving down from Virginia Beach. I love it here and it doesn't seem to hurt my corvettes or my street rods.I do live about 12 miles inland but am at the beach about every day! Just keep it washed and waxed and you will be O.K.! I only regret i didn't move here sooner.
come on down and fish with me at Outer banks pier!
Love the OBX,
Dave
I,ve lived here [outer banks] for 10 years after moving down from Virginia Beach. I love it here and it doesn't seem to hurt my corvettes or my street rods.I do live about 12 miles inland but am at the beach about every day! Just keep it washed and waxed and you will be O.K.! I only regret i didn't move here sooner.come on down and fish with me at Outer banks pier!
Love the OBX,
Dave
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 14,358
Likes: 1
From: Medford NJ
I'd be more concerned with flooding on a barrier island. Make sure you are not in a low-lying area and watch the weather. The one time I got lazy and parked my car on the street happen to coincide with the combination of high tide, full moon, and a freak thunderstorm that dumped inches of rain in two hours in the middle of the night. Result: water up to the shifter and center console.
If you hear the word nor'easter, run Forest, run.
If you hear the word nor'easter, run Forest, run.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9,526
Likes: 12
From: Los Angeles California
Make sure you guys get the car wrapped. http://www.tvpauto.com/ppf.html
This can save your paint from the sand and gritty film!
This can save your paint from the sand and gritty film!