... and my replica chrome wheels 
Road Salt?
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
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From: . [Rotorhead] "You seem to be a douche. What I'm getting at is just STFU" [/Rotorhead]
St. Jude Donor '06 & '09 & '11
Originally Posted by Black04Vert
Chrome doesn't like salt, regardless of the car.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,412
Likes: 1,295
From: Bluffton, SC
Originally Posted by legalgus
Buy a beater. Always put my vette away when I lived in Michigan. In storage November thru April.
Night Race Blue 427
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,794
Likes: 6
From: Muncie, Indiana ...... Can I buy an amplifier on time ... I ani't got no money now but I'll pay you before I die
Don't worry about the body it's what the salt will to the frame that's the killer.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 12,198
Likes: 15
From: Columbia MD
Originally Posted by VET4LES
I guess that's why people that live in the cold part's of the US store their Corvette's for the winter. 
Last edited by vetdude; Dec 6, 2005 at 10:54 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 35,769
Likes: 148
From: Northern NYs Adirondack Mountains,http://www.visitsacandaga.com.
Originally Posted by vetdude
Exactly! It's not the snow, it's the ton of salt the state puts down. After the snow melts, the unmelted salt just lays on the road like asphalt pebbles...and you know what kind of effect that can have on your paint, not to mention the corrosion to the metal parts.
Depending on the road conditions, they also mix in a LOT of sand. Of course if you do not mind getting sandblasted as you drive, go for it.
That mix of salt & sand will stay on the road for a good long time after the plows have "opened" the road.
FWIW I have too much respect for my car to bring it out in that kind of weather.
Car is off the road till April, Mid April some years.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,670
Likes: 0
From: Franklin Michigan
Originally Posted by legalgus
Buy a beater. Always put my vette away when I lived in Michigan. In storage November thru April.
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Advanced
Joined: Sep 2004
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Lots of salt....lots of damage
Like anything else, the volume of salt makes the difference. No mistake on what salt is...it is a somewhat mild caustic agent, but it can destroy or damage most parts of a car over time...and the paint is the least of one's problems! In Vermont, salt is everywhere....the vette goes in the garage before the snow flies. All new vettes cost a chunk of change, and it isn't worth it to subject them to a harsh, salty winter. That is why the dealers always bring up southern cars to sell, and send our rust buckets to auction.
If you do get caught in a salt situation, I would suggest a thourough washing, including the undercarriage (maybe two washings, especially if you use the commercial washes).
If you do get caught in a salt situation, I would suggest a thourough washing, including the undercarriage (maybe two washings, especially if you use the commercial washes).
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 914
Likes: 1
From: Plant City Florida
Originally Posted by RandyMi
I drove three new Vettes through Michigan winters, lots of clear sunny days to enjoy it. I want my use as it depreciates!!
Instructor
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 246
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From: St. Louis, MO, USA
I pulled out of the garage this morning in my Z51 onto an inch of new snow and what seemed like as much salt. I had no problems and just stayed a little further back behind and away from the interstate idiots. It amazes me how many of them, especially the ones in 4x4s want to go 75 and 80 and then cut in front of you at the last possible moment.
It is just a car, a damned nice car, but it comes with wipers, heated seats and insurance so...I drive it and wash it all winter long. Just keep it clean and waxed. This will be the second winter in my C6 and it still looks good.
If I had the space and money for a winter vehicle I might drive one but, probably not. I love to drive my corvette. Of course serious snow requires a "plan B," usually a ride from my wife and her all wheel Beemer. The 67, however, definitely does not come out in the winter.
It is just a car, a damned nice car, but it comes with wipers, heated seats and insurance so...I drive it and wash it all winter long. Just keep it clean and waxed. This will be the second winter in my C6 and it still looks good.
If I had the space and money for a winter vehicle I might drive one but, probably not. I love to drive my corvette. Of course serious snow requires a "plan B," usually a ride from my wife and her all wheel Beemer. The 67, however, definitely does not come out in the winter.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 12,198
Likes: 15
From: Columbia MD
Originally Posted by 6spdC6
Depending on the road conditions, they also mix in a LOT of sand. Of course if you do not mind getting sandblasted as you drive, go for it.
That mix of salt & sand will stay on the road for a good long time after the plows have "opened" the road.
FWIW I have too much respect for my car to bring it out in that kind of weather.
Car is off the road till April, Mid April some years.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,734
Likes: 2
From: Southeastern PA
Originally Posted by lytmup
They make rust proofing spray that you can coat the bottom of the car with. I haven't tried it yet, but I am told that if you keep up with it every year before the roads get like that, then it will be fine.
Hmm...I hope you're not referring to that black, tar-like aerosol spray???
I'd love to see someone spray that stuff all over the underside of a 60K car. Any takers??
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,174
Likes: 1
From: NOVA VA
Originally Posted by 70454
Hmm...I hope you're not referring to that black, tar-like aerosol spray???
I'd love to see someone spray that stuff all over the underside of a 60K car. Any takers??
I'd love to see someone spray that stuff all over the underside of a 60K car. Any takers??
No, thats undercoating smart a$$, and thats not for rust-proofing.
I am talking about rust-proofing (usually either a gel or a spray) and is typically clear. You can do it yourself or get it done professionally (typically at dealers in which they are warrantied).
Its not expensive and beats the he!! out of a rusty undercarriage.
In addition, GM warranties their cars now with a 6 year/100,000 mile rust/corrosion warranty.
Last edited by lytmup; Dec 6, 2005 at 04:04 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 13,733
Likes: 66
From: Hurst, TX USA
Originally Posted by scrannel
Paint & salt? I lived in Vermont most of my life and saw cars that looked like they'd been eaten alive -- but that was metal. I had a '68 vette drove every winter and never saw any paint problems. Same with other Vette owners I knew. Salt causes electrolysis with metal, not fiberglass.
I drove my 1970 all winter in Chicago for 3 years. There were times it was literally white with salt (And it was a dark green car...). Once washed it was like new. 99% of the car is plastic or aluminum which isn't affected by salt. You only have to watch for any part that is steel, like fasteners etc. Just hose off the underside every so often and you should be good to go.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,813
Likes: 287
From: Toronto Ontario Canada
Originally Posted by Jay13
It's a car. I'm really tired of the holier than thou "I would never drive a vette in the winter" BS. I'm glad so many people have the funds for multiple cars and multiple places to store them. I could afford another car, but why bother? I've got a 3 car garage and 3 cars. I'm not keeping one on the drive just so my vette can sit untouched in the garage. It's a car and I'll drive it. And when it gets old, I'll get a new one. By then my kids won't be living at home and taking up a spot in the garage.
Enjoy your vette. Salt won't hurt it any more or less than any other. Try to keep it clean and try to keep a good coat of wax on it. It'll be fine.
Enjoy your vette. Salt won't hurt it any more or less than any other. Try to keep it clean and try to keep a good coat of wax on it. It'll be fine.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,099
Likes: 64
From: Houston TX
St. Jude Donor '09
Grew up in the snow belt. Salt with water will corrode steel parts very very quickly, but paint, aluminum, fiberglass, and plastic much, much slower. Just wash your car off thoroughly and regularly, particularly the fenderwells and often overlooked undercarriage.
Here we never see salt on the roads because it almost never snows, but I wash my car immediately after any trip near the beach. The sea spray covers the car in a salty film. You really notice it on the windshield driving home at night. Old cars in Galveston look just like old cars in Michigan, rusting out around the fenders and windows.
Here we never see salt on the roads because it almost never snows, but I wash my car immediately after any trip near the beach. The sea spray covers the car in a salty film. You really notice it on the windshield driving home at night. Old cars in Galveston look just like old cars in Michigan, rusting out around the fenders and windows.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,213
Likes: 0
From: Malibu California
Originally Posted by Waveblaster785
Sorry that just struck me as funny, couldn't call it a boat?
BTW, is saccrificial annode the smart way to just call it a Zinc?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,815
Likes: 936
From: Cortez, FL/Canandaigua NY (Summer)
I store mine-mainly it's not a great winter ride. I would not worry about the paint, but the stone and rock salt chips, salt water getting everywhere under the car. This car has a lot of aluminum parts that will corrode. Disc brakes will rust. Salt is bad stuff, man.