Cleaning from a Wintery Mix
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Instructor
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 110
Likes: 1
From: Fredericksburg Virginia
Cleaning from a Wintery Mix
It pained me greatly but I had to drive my convertible C5 yesterday. My other car is getting a clutch put in and it wasn't supposed to snow. I had to drive it home in the snow and ice. My question is if there is anything I need to focus on when I clean it off. I know I have to get the salt and chemicals off the car as soon as possible. I'm planning to spray the underside of the car and the wheel-wells as much as possible. Anywhere else I need to focus on the car? Any trouble spots with corrosion or anything I should make sure are clean?
This will be the last time this car goes out in the wintery weather.
This will be the last time this car goes out in the wintery weather.
Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 744
Likes: 0
From: St. Peters MO.
Don't feel alone, there are owners all over the snow belt that drive there vettes in all weather. One cleaning tip from here in Missouri is to use a brushless wash because they will a use high pressure water spray on the under carriage. I don't use these washes on a regular basis but ths salt brine off of the streets gets everyplace.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 6,217
Likes: 1
From: End of the Ike IL
Cruise-In V Veteran
Cruise-In VI Veteran
I drove in snow yesterday and again this morning. Illinois salts the roads, so lots of mist on the C5. No biggie, I hand wash her every week or two to get the grime off. But long before winter arrived, I had thoroughly waxed her to protect the paint and I'll continue to detail the engine bay each spring and fall to clean every nook and cranny. On a warm day (above freezing) I'll wash and spread some more Meguiars on her in the heated garage. I bought the C5 to drive everyday and not worship like a holy turtle. I figure life is too short. So I enjoy the ride, everyday.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 3
From: Lost in the Pine Barrens with only ketchup and relish packs, New Jersey
I drive the car every day as long as I don't get stuck in my driveway! Need to buy a truck with a snow plow one of these days (driveway is 600+ feet long and always plowed in at the street!) The other day I went to a self service wash and sprayed the entire thing (underneath as best as I could) I WILL NOT USE a "so called" touchless wash ever again after my last car got a nice scrape from the back of the sprayer jet as it returned from spraying the back of the car.
Last edited by 99magredcoupe; Jan 20, 2005 at 10:07 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 19,459
Likes: 48
From: Schaumburg IL
CI 7-8-9-11 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
Originally Posted by RedeyeJK
It pained me greatly but I had to drive my convertible C5 yesterday. My other car is getting a clutch put in and it wasn't supposed to snow. I had to drive it home in the snow and ice. My question is if there is anything I need to focus on when I clean it off. I know I have to get the salt and chemicals off the car as soon as possible. I'm planning to spray the underside of the car and the wheel-wells as much as possible. Anywhere else I need to focus on the car? Any trouble spots with corrosion or anything I should make sure are clean?
This will be the last time this car goes out in the wintery weather.
This will be the last time this car goes out in the wintery weather.
She'll be fine
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From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
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Originally Posted by GOOSE JR.
Don't feel alone, there are owners all over the snow belt that drive there vettes in all weather. One cleaning tip from here in Missouri is to use a brushless wash because they will a use high pressure water spray on the under carriage. I don't use these washes on a regular basis but ths salt brine off of the streets gets everyplace.
I agree. I use the high pressure washes on mine to get stuff like this off. It does well in the wheel wells, undercarraige, etc.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 10,233
Likes: 21
From: Baltimore suburbs Maryland
Originally Posted by BlueL36
I drove in snow yesterday and again this morning. Illinois salts the roads, so lots of mist on the C5. No biggie, I hand wash her every week or two to get the grime off. But long before winter arrived, I had thoroughly waxed her to protect the paint and I'll continue to detail the engine bay each spring and fall to clean every nook and cranny. On a warm day (above freezing) I'll wash and spread some more Meguiars on her in the heated garage. I bought the C5 to drive everyday and not worship like a holy turtle. I figure life is too short. So I enjoy the ride, everyday.
My thoughts exactly. I ordered snow tires cause yesterday I got stuck on 1/4" of snow in my driveway.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 3
From: Lost in the Pine Barrens with only ketchup and relish packs, New Jersey
Originally Posted by NewN2Vettes
I feel your pain.
.
.