Hood closure
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 4,138
Likes: 171
From: Missouri
St. Jude Donor '13-'14
Just got off the phone with Daniel Akerson, CEO of General Motors. After speaking at length with chief Corvette engineer Tadge Jeuchter, they came to the conclusion that the proper way to close the hood is, essentially, from underneath the car. Ideally one would drop the front axle, then lower the engine, and pull the hood down from below. Still waiting on consensus on the proper way to OPEN the hood. 
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,407
Likes: 48
From: Scottsdale Az
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 16,910
Likes: 5,372
From: T-Town WA
2016 C6 of Year Finalist
Wil Cooksey #256
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,814
Likes: 24
From: Sacramento Kalifornia
I have always used the drop from a short height, 6". Has worked for me for the last 12 years. Prior to that I had a C3 and had to use the press method for closing. I would drop the hood from a foot or more and one latch would not lock. Never had a problem on the C5 or C6's.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 620
Likes: 45
From: Raleigh NC
On my ride home after taking delivery I noticed the drivers side wasn't latched.
Had to repeatedly drop it to get it to latch.
The push method would work, but I had to put a lot more force on the drivers side to get it to click.
Took it in to the dealer and they adjusted.
Works just fine now.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,589
Likes: 5
From: Salisbury Maryland
Depends on which polymer/wax you use:
Zaino - don't touch the paint! Use a 100% cotton cloth to push down on the hood to about 1.5', then let the hood drop to a close. Re-inspect for finger prints and buff with clean dry 100% cotton cloth and reapply Z6 if needed.
Rejex - After bashing Zaino users on CF, lower the hood to about 1.5', let drop to a close. Get back on CF and continue bashing Zaino users.
Other Waxes - doesn't really matter, go back to Walmart and ask the head mechanic what to do.
Zaino - don't touch the paint! Use a 100% cotton cloth to push down on the hood to about 1.5', then let the hood drop to a close. Re-inspect for finger prints and buff with clean dry 100% cotton cloth and reapply Z6 if needed.
Rejex - After bashing Zaino users on CF, lower the hood to about 1.5', let drop to a close. Get back on CF and continue bashing Zaino users.
Other Waxes - doesn't really matter, go back to Walmart and ask the head mechanic what to do.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 323
Likes: 5
From: Blain Pa.
Depends on which polymer/wax you use:
Zaino - don't touch the paint! Use a 100% cotton cloth to push down on the hood to about 1.5', then let the hood drop to a close. Re-inspect for finger prints and buff with clean dry 100% cotton cloth and reapply Z6 if needed.
Rejex - After bashing Zaino users on CF, lower the hood to about 1.5', let drop to a close. Get back on CF and continue bashing Zaino users.
Other Waxes - doesn't really matter, go back to Walmart and ask the head mechanic what to do.
Zaino - don't touch the paint! Use a 100% cotton cloth to push down on the hood to about 1.5', then let the hood drop to a close. Re-inspect for finger prints and buff with clean dry 100% cotton cloth and reapply Z6 if needed.
Rejex - After bashing Zaino users on CF, lower the hood to about 1.5', let drop to a close. Get back on CF and continue bashing Zaino users.
Other Waxes - doesn't really matter, go back to Walmart and ask the head mechanic what to do.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 27,420
Likes: 64
From: San Clemente CA
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,407
Likes: 48
From: Scottsdale Az
Depends on which polymer/wax you use:
Zaino - don't touch the paint! Use a 100% cotton cloth to push down on the hood to about 1.5', then let the hood drop to a close. Re-inspect for finger prints and buff with clean dry 100% cotton cloth and reapply Z6 if needed.
Rejex - After bashing Zaino users on CF, lower the hood to about 1.5', let drop to a close. Get back on CF and continue bashing Zaino users.
Other Waxes - doesn't really matter, go back to Walmart and ask the head mechanic what to do.
Zaino - don't touch the paint! Use a 100% cotton cloth to push down on the hood to about 1.5', then let the hood drop to a close. Re-inspect for finger prints and buff with clean dry 100% cotton cloth and reapply Z6 if needed.
Rejex - After bashing Zaino users on CF, lower the hood to about 1.5', let drop to a close. Get back on CF and continue bashing Zaino users.
Other Waxes - doesn't really matter, go back to Walmart and ask the head mechanic what to do.
