Cleaning the underside...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,485
Likes: 3
From: Central NJ
I know this isn't exactly what you are looking for but one of the best ways to keep it clean underneath (and I do value that also; I know exactly what you are thinking) is preventive. The best way to prevent problems is to not drive it in inclement conditions. I don't drive in rain - this is exactly why. Some don't get that - others do. I plan to have my car and have it looking good 20+ years from now. Everything you do today WILL make a difference in appearance 20 years from now. Good luck.
I find this sort of thinking a little bit sad though. I mean in 20 years your car will be worth almost nothing, and probably even every honda will be faster that the C6 (20 years is a looong time)... so there you are, not driving it in the rain, pampering and saving your car, being super protective of it, for what? just to have a shiny "old" car in 20 years?
It's like when you see a prestine 1984 Vette on the road - sure it's interesting to see, but it's dated, it's not fast, it's not a classic, it's not worth much even with the shiny bottom... the sad part is the original owner is behind the wheel, and probably never enjoyed it without worrying about it, and never having the pleasure of enjoying a C5 or C6, just stuck there in his shiny old C4...
wow... now I've heard everything... no wonder corvette owners have the stereotype they do... someone call the environment protection agency... and the nut hut...
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,070
Likes: 162
From: Coralville Iowa
I find this sort of thinking a little bit sad though. I mean in 20 years your car will be worth almost nothing, and probably even every honda will be faster that the C6 (20 years is a looong time)... so there you are, not driving it in the rain, pampering and saving your car, being super protective of it, for what? just to have a shiny "old" car in 20 years?
...
...
Everyone has a different perspective on this based on what they use their Vette for now. Here's another comment that will provoke conversation - in the last year I've only driven my Vette about 1200 miles. I'm OK with that - I get pleasure seeing it clean in my garage each day when I leave on my bicycle for my 6 mile commute to work.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
From: Baltimore Maryland
I know this isn't exactly what you are looking for but one of the best ways to keep it clean underneath (and I do value that also; I know exactly what you are thinking) is preventive. The best way to prevent problems is to not drive it in inclement conditions. I don't drive in rain - this is exactly why. Some don't get that - others do. I plan to have my car and have it looking good 20+ years from now. Everything you do today WILL make a difference in appearance 20 years from now. Good luck.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
From: Baltimore Maryland
How do you know that it would have rusted without all that oil? Oiling the underneath seems like a messy unadvisable and unnessary activity to me.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,103
Likes: 0
From: Springfield MA
St. Jude Donor '08
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
From: Baltimore Maryland
I guess if you're into that kind of commitment (20 years) this post makes sense (I think)...
I find this sort of thinking a little bit sad though. I mean in 20 years your car will be worth almost nothing, and probably even every honda will be faster that the C6 (20 years is a looong time)... so there you are, not driving it in the rain, pampering and saving your car, being super protective of it, for what? just to have a shiny "old" car in 20 years?
It's like when you see a prestine 1984 Vette on the road - sure it's interesting to see, but it's dated, it's not fast, it's not a classic, it's not worth much even with the shiny bottom... the sad part is the original owner is behind the wheel, and probably never enjoyed it without worrying about it, and never having the pleasure of enjoying a C5 or C6, just stuck there in his shiny old C4...
wow... now I've heard everything... no wonder corvette owners have the stereotype they do... someone call the environment protection agency... and the nut hut...
I find this sort of thinking a little bit sad though. I mean in 20 years your car will be worth almost nothing, and probably even every honda will be faster that the C6 (20 years is a looong time)... so there you are, not driving it in the rain, pampering and saving your car, being super protective of it, for what? just to have a shiny "old" car in 20 years?
It's like when you see a prestine 1984 Vette on the road - sure it's interesting to see, but it's dated, it's not fast, it's not a classic, it's not worth much even with the shiny bottom... the sad part is the original owner is behind the wheel, and probably never enjoyed it without worrying about it, and never having the pleasure of enjoying a C5 or C6, just stuck there in his shiny old C4...
wow... now I've heard everything... no wonder corvette owners have the stereotype they do... someone call the environment protection agency... and the nut hut...
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
From: Baltimore Maryland
I appreciate your perspective - but I have other vehicles to drive in inclement weather and actually I can't wait to have a 20 year old Vette when there aren't many of that vintage around anymore. It has nothing to do with resale value to me - that is absolutely not in the equation. I've had clean old cars - and there's nothing like that to bring forth conversation. I agree that a 1984 Vette may not be the most exciting vehicle - but a C6 is plenty fast today and still will be in the future. Your average daily driver car in the future is not going to be doing sub-5 second 0-60. And you still have to appreciate that clean 1984 Vette for appearance alone.
Everyone has a different perspective on this based on what they use their Vette for now. Here's another comment that will provoke conversation - in the last year I've only driven my Vette about 1200 miles. I'm OK with that - I get pleasure seeing it clean in my garage each day when I leave on my bicycle for my 6 mile commute to work.
Everyone has a different perspective on this based on what they use their Vette for now. Here's another comment that will provoke conversation - in the last year I've only driven my Vette about 1200 miles. I'm OK with that - I get pleasure seeing it clean in my garage each day when I leave on my bicycle for my 6 mile commute to work.
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Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
From: Baltimore Maryland
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 18,727
Likes: 711
From: Bergen County, NJ
I guess if you're into that kind of commitment (20 years) this post makes sense (I think)...
I find this sort of thinking a little bit sad though. I mean in 20 years your car will be worth almost nothing,
It's like when you see a prestine 1984 Vette on the road - sure it's interesting to see, but it's dated, it's not fast, it's not a classic, it's not worth much even with the shiny bottom......
I find this sort of thinking a little bit sad though. I mean in 20 years your car will be worth almost nothing,
It's like when you see a prestine 1984 Vette on the road - sure it's interesting to see, but it's dated, it's not fast, it's not a classic, it's not worth much even with the shiny bottom......
Everyone has [or should have] something they like. Some like to keep their garden pristine, some like their cars.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,560
Likes: 739
From: panama city beach florida USA
St. Jude Donor '09
OMG i drive mine in the rain and dont wash underneath and its got 47k on it. does that guy have the dyno results of increased perf. of a cleaner underside ? unreal
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,433
Likes: 3,622
From: Commerce Texas
I'm 67 (this past September) and am approaching 500,000 miles in Corvettes (five) over the past 18 years 9 months.
I've had the pleasure of driving Corvettes in 45 of the lower 48 states in all sorts of weather - snow, rain, dust, wind, 120º weather on one end -19º on the other - and the cars just keep on giving reward after reward, mile after smile.
I really cannot understand why someone would not want to drive these cars at every opportunity. It' s not as if they're rare or exotic, except, of course, for the ones that come with windshield wipers...
Clean underneath? Who has time? I'm driving mine...
I've had the pleasure of driving Corvettes in 45 of the lower 48 states in all sorts of weather - snow, rain, dust, wind, 120º weather on one end -19º on the other - and the cars just keep on giving reward after reward, mile after smile.
I really cannot understand why someone would not want to drive these cars at every opportunity. It' s not as if they're rare or exotic, except, of course, for the ones that come with windshield wipers...
Clean underneath? Who has time? I'm driving mine...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,002
Likes: 2,679
I put mine away last weekend. But that's because I don't know if I'll get another nice weekend (where I have time) to wash it. Can't drive it during the week right now, way too cold (for the tires) in the morning before the sun comes up.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,103
Likes: 0
From: Springfield MA
St. Jude Donor '08
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,485
Likes: 3
From: Central NJ
I will never understand overprotective parents....
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,499
Likes: 1
I agree on the simple green and elbow grease. I wax the backside of my wheel, that makes them easy to clean. I also use w-d 40 on any bare oarts. I wax anything that will take wax with a spray and leave the excess on there. I kepp both of my vettes spotless top and bottom. The 88 has never been driven in the rain. The 08 only once!Do what ever turns you on, I like cleaning nice cars!