I have had my '03 millennium yellow C5Z for nearly a year, and for several months of that time it was covered under a nice weatherproof cover outdoors. I have no garage, nothing I can put over my cars, and due to my driveway setup I really can't add anything. So it's either a car cover, or nothing.

I uncovered it about a month or two ago once it stayed nice enough regularly for me to drive it (I put summer tires on it and did not want to drive it in the winter for that reason). I have been treating the car cover like a "use it in the winter time" deal, not to be used until it gets cold again. But I am just at my wits end with this car.

Almost daily birds **** all over the car. I feel utterly defeated, I can't do anything to make them leave this car alone. Each day the car seems to have either dust or little white fuzzy specs on the glass. I live in Northern KY, so it's not like I live out west where sand is a big issue so I guess it's just pollen or something. Bugs will not get off the car, constantly the specs of dirt I think I see are just a dozen bugs all over the car. I ignore them after it's dry, and come out the next day and several of them are dead and somehow stuck to the car.

The one that has pushed me over the edge is some very small (slightly bigger than a pen tip) specs that I would say are like drops from berries, but all I can say is I have to scrub very hard with a damp cleaning rag to get it off. Pressure washer does nothing to this stuff. I just put some more wax on it to try and see if that helps, I go to the hand operated car washes plenty and for what good it does I use their high pressure clearcoat setting before doing spot free (they have no wax setting).

This car has gorgeous paint, but I'm sure the previous owners kept it in a garage. The yellow paint is so bright that dirt is extremely noticeable on it and I feel like **** driving it around when it's not clean. But the bugs crawling on the car (and on me...) along with the humidity out here, this is just killing me. I'm honestly starting to think about selling the car because I'm either going to have to kill myself almost daily to keep it clean or just let the finish get ruined and I don't want to damn this low mile well kept car to that fate just because I lack a garage.

Of the half dozen cars I have owned so far, this is the one that I just cannot keep clean and is stressful to clean. Is it the age combined with the paint quality GM used? The color? I love driving this car, but I hate washing and detailing cars. I used to have a silver Coyote Mustang, it was not as much fun to drive but so much easier to keep clean and looking good.

Suggestions? Advice? My other vehicle is a truck, so I don't have to drive the Corvette everywhere (but then why own it if you aren't going to drive it?).

 

Mine is black, I wash it, 2 seconds later it's dirty.

Some tricks I use:
California Duster
Micro Fiber towels
Quick Detail Spray

 

I don't have a sense for your weather patterns, but I think I'd find a storage facility rather than leave the car in the elements- certainly, that will keep it cleaner - -absent that, cover it every day or simply wait until you're in a better situation to have a home with a garage. You might also try Rejex or a similar product that sheds bugs and dirt more readily.

Good luck-

 

I have a yellow motorcycle. For some reason, that color really attracts bugs.

I park my C5 in a covered carport outside. I hand washed it yesterday and there is already dust on the hood. It's rough man. Being my daily driver, I'm resigned to not having my car looking show ready all the time. I basically only wash it every few weeks, when the dirt really starts getting noticeable. It looks so much better right after I wash it. I hate having a dirty looking car. Don't know what to say except maybe get a waterless detailer and give it a once over every morning ?

 

Consider trying to find a garage space for rent that may be close to you. Yes, it's not as convenient as having your car right outside your door, but it should help with the problems you are experiencing.

Other than that, you may have to find a place with a garage (either to own or rent - not sure if you own now).

If neither of those two things sound appealing, sell the car until you can get a place with a garage. There will be plenty of Vettes available when the situation improves. Or just live with the fact the car is not going to look pristine every time you drive it.

 

I feel your pain brother
I have a black one also
I live in the woods (a lot of trees)
wash, dry, polish, spray, looks stunning
20 minutes later I'm thinking why did I bother
Vette problems right? lol

 

Here you go
perfect to keep birds and what nots from dumping on your girl
when winter comes go to walmart and get the cheap tarps and wrap it/close it in

 

That's what I was thinking...

 

This is what you need portable car shelters http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/search...0%26%20Garages


You should have these your way maybe there pretty cheap here and work great for storing your favorite babe through the winters months.

 

I have a black C5 the past 17 years. It is my only car, but I do keep it in the garage when I am not driving it. I also have to wipe it down every day with either Chadwick's or Zaino Z6 or Z8 depending on which system I am using at the time. I you "wax" the car (vs using a sealant), I would recommend something like Griot's Speedshine for daily removal of the things you are describing.

I had 9 other Corvettes before my C5 and before I had a garage and usually within 3-4 years the elements really took their toll. I would never own a Corvette again without a garage - especially a C5, where a new paint job may cost as much as the total value of the car.

All that said, you mention some things you are doing that are really going to reduce the life of the paint. Never use a pressure washer to remove anything (like sap, etc.) stuck to the paint! Never use any hand pressure to rub off things stuck to paint! If something is stuck to the surface of the paint, you should spray something on the surface (like Chadwick's) to break down the substance before gently wiping it off with the correct clean microfiber towels. If that does not do it, you may have to use Clay or something like a Griot's Fine Surface Prep Mitt and follow up with some protection system. From what you have said, I would check out the Chadwick system as it is probably the easiest/quickest to maintain. I have not "washed" my car in a couple years and it looks like new.

I would not recommend using anything like a California Duster unless you are dusting off 50 cars a day on a used car lot! The very paraffin they use to attract dust also transfers to the surface of your paint making the car a giant dust magnet - not to mention dragging all those sharp dust particles over your clear coat as the fibers fill up.

Also, I would not recommend a car cover outside if you get any "wind". When the wind blows, dust will get up under the cover and the cover will just act like sandpaper on the clear coat.

 

I agree with Choreo

 

I have a place to keep mine inside for any extended periods of not driving it (winter). The rest of the time it's in my driveway. I use an indoor/outdoor cover, only takes a few minutes to put on or take off, and it really helps

 

Another guy here with a black C5. When not driving I keep the car covered, and in a garage, with a quality outdoor rated and lined cover. Before and after just about all drives I go over the car with detailer just trying to maintain a decent appearance. Its a never ending task, but worth it! Best wishes!

 

I couldn't keep birds from shitting down my doors, Wife said to put socks over the review mirrows and it worked.

 

The birds use C5's for target practice out here. The only thing I can say, is from the looks of some of the spatter, it had to hurt them more than me. They eat jalapeno's off the parking lots of all the Mexican Restaurants around here, you can usually tell because they are flying backwards!

 

I think the OP is complaining more about the summer months. If they do consider a shelter, they may want to check with local municipal laws. Many municipalities restrict use of these shelters to between November and April, especially in residential areas. If you have a large property where you can hide it in the back, or in rural areas, there's generally no problems.

 

Get a lightweight cover at parts store and throw it over the car.

 

Digi2t is correct, winter time I have covered. I forget exactly the brand, but I have a cover that was pricey and I use the wind guards to keep it taut and from blowing away. It really doesn't seem suited to be taken on and off the car so much because of the same properties that offer so much protection in the winter.

I have a power line over my driveway, so I'm not sure I'll be permitted to put something over the cars. I was hoping to switch off from driving my truck so often to the Vette, but the truck (blue) does not show the dirt and bird crap as badly as the yellow Vette. It also feels more acceptable to drive a truck that is dirty than something like the Vette.

I'll look into the products Choreo has mentioned, I have a clay bar kit but have not used it. I typically like using the hand wash DIY bays at the car washes, but I guess I need to invest in the supplies to wash it in my drive. I still don't know what it is about Corvettes that makes them get so much dirtier than other cars, is it the low ride height or something? Out of half a dozen other cars I've had, I don't recall any (Including a white one) that ever seemed to look so bad when dirty as a Vette.

 

White cars are actually the best at hiding dirt. I had a white car once. I'd go to wash it. And couldn't believe how much whiter it always looked after I was done. You don't really notice the dirt build up.

 

Most of the others have given you solid advice on different options that will help alleviate problems keeping your car clean. I'm not used to hearing someone in the Corvette world that doesn't like to clean their car, that is indeed a rarity but, I sympathize with your plight. You obviously care a great deal enough to want to preserve it.

You stated that you have a "Winter" car cover and it's quite heavy, as it's supposed to be. Yes, taking Winter covers off daily is not what they were intended for. My suggestion would be to acquire a "Summer" gentler climate car cover that is obviously lighter, and was meant to be taken off a lot easier. No matter what, as soon as it's exposed the particles in the air will make their way to reside on your car, pollen and dust are no big deal but, having the bird ka-ka ritually hit your car is a concern, because some of it is downright toxic to paint. My advice....Get a second cover. Cheaper than storage in the long run, and your car is accessible right then and there.

Having a truck is a great thing, and a wonderful alternative to driving somewhere in it, with knowing the Vette is in the driveway covered, cleaned, and shielded from bird depth charges.

Good luck, sounds as though you have a really nice Vette....