Any ideas?
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 88
Likes: 1
Any ideas?
I should be taking delivery of my arctic white Z51 within a month or so. I live in a great apartment complex. Gym, tennis, sauna, but no garage. The type of apartment we wanted did not have one with a garage available. Any suggestions on protecting it from weather. I'm kinda hoping some of you say don't worry it's only rain or snow. I was going to purchase a cover but it will be my daily drive and it may be more trouble than it's worth. Thanks
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 356
Likes: 1
From: Fort Myers FL
Do you have a specified parking spot?
Is there a carwash area or can you do that where you want?
The problem with parking outside and using a cover is this...
For a DD, then you will have to always figure that you need a few minutes before departure and coming home to unload, unfurl and cover.
Other thing is you gotta keep the car fairly clean and free of debris before you cover so nothing is trapped between the inside lining and paint. So easy to scratch.
This was my experience with apt living and using a cover. Too much trouble and too much chance of messing up the paint.
Is there a carwash area or can you do that where you want?
The problem with parking outside and using a cover is this...
For a DD, then you will have to always figure that you need a few minutes before departure and coming home to unload, unfurl and cover.
Other thing is you gotta keep the car fairly clean and free of debris before you cover so nothing is trapped between the inside lining and paint. So easy to scratch.
This was my experience with apt living and using a cover. Too much trouble and too much chance of messing up the paint.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 11,825
Likes: 2,474
From: Ft Lauderdale
Tech Contributor
Wash it with dawn dishwashing soap, yes, dawn, you want to strip everything on the paint....do it, I've been detailing 15 years, you do this ONCE.
Put on two coats of Collinite 845... 12 hours apart if you can
A very indestructible wax/seal for harsh climates....get it at autogeek.net
Put on two coats of Collinite 845... 12 hours apart if you can
A very indestructible wax/seal for harsh climates....get it at autogeek.net
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
I would not suggest putting a cover on it. Unless the car is clean, it will potentially leave fine scratches in the paint. Being outside isn't ideal, but cars are certainly designed to endure that and worse. I'd be more concerned about people giving you door dings and such if it's a crowded parking lot.
Before I bought my house last May, I was living in an apartment that has detached garages for rent. Nice feature for people with cars they want to protect.
Before I bought my house last May, I was living in an apartment that has detached garages for rent. Nice feature for people with cars they want to protect.
Last edited by 335i; Feb 28, 2014 at 07:02 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 14,611
Likes: 3
From: Retired Suffolk County Police Dept NY South Carolina
When I was younger my first priority was buying a house. Spending all that money and renting an apartment is bass backwards IMO. Get your priorities straight and spend the money on a house downpayment then get a vette after you own a house.
Cancel the Vette purchase and you will thank me a few years from now when you are living in your own house.
PS I owned a few Corvettes before I owned a house, but they were all used fixer uppers that I sold at a profit
Cancel the Vette purchase and you will thank me a few years from now when you are living in your own house.
PS I owned a few Corvettes before I owned a house, but they were all used fixer uppers that I sold at a profit
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Race Director
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10,742
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From: Manheim Pennsylvania
A good layer of wax will keep your car looking good. In time the elements will take a toll, when abrasion starts to show trade it on another. In short, don't marry the car, trade frequently. Watch your options and only pick ones where you will receive a return on initial investment. Example: colored brake calipers will never add anything to trade value. Some options will - Z51 and magnetic ride.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 321
Likes: 3
From: Syracuse New York
Don't listen to people who tell you to cancel your order on the Corvette and buy a house instead. Do what makes you happy, and if this is your dream car, then buy it and enjoy!
Definitely DO NOT use a cover. You will scratch the entire car up with the dirt and debris that will get trapped in between your car and the cover. I would look for other ways to protect your car such as a small canopy (if you have room) or simply save up your money and move somwehere with a garage or canopy to store your new baby in.
Good luck
Definitely DO NOT use a cover. You will scratch the entire car up with the dirt and debris that will get trapped in between your car and the cover. I would look for other ways to protect your car such as a small canopy (if you have room) or simply save up your money and move somwehere with a garage or canopy to store your new baby in.
Good luck
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 867
Likes: 148
From: N CA
Wax, seal your car with whatever you want then always use Eagle One Wax as You Dry with every wash, it will keep the paint buttery smooth and give your wax a fresh boost with every wash. I've used this stuff since it came out and it has kept my paint protection on all of our cars very fresh and extended the time in between waxes. It has also prevented bird $hit on one of our black cars from etching the paint after it baked in the summer sun all day. The other nice thing is you use it right after you wash then rinse off your car while it's still wet so it saves the extra steps of a traditional detail spray. Use it sparingly and you'll have no streaking. I believe it's carnauba based.
Last edited by 500; Mar 1, 2014 at 12:56 AM.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 88
Likes: 1
When I was younger my first priority was buying a house. Spending all that money and renting an apartment is bass backwards IMO. Get your priorities straight and spend the money on a house downpayment then get a vette after you own a house.
Cancel the Vette purchase and you will thank me a few years from now when you are living in your own house.
PS I owned a few Corvettes before I owned a house, but they were all used fixer uppers that I sold at a profit
Cancel the Vette purchase and you will thank me a few years from now when you are living in your own house.
PS I owned a few Corvettes before I owned a house, but they were all used fixer uppers that I sold at a profit
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 88
Likes: 1
Wash it with dawn dishwashing soap, yes, dawn, you want to strip everything on the paint....do it, I've been detailing 15 years, you do this ONCE.
Put on two coats of Collinite 845... 12 hours apart if you can
A very indestructible wax/seal for harsh climates....get it at autogeek.net
Put on two coats of Collinite 845... 12 hours apart if you can
A very indestructible wax/seal for harsh climates....get it at autogeek.net
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 88
Likes: 1
A good layer of wax will keep your car looking good. In time the elements will take a toll, when abrasion starts to show trade it on another. In short, don't marry the car, trade frequently. Watch your options and only pick ones where you will receive a return on initial investment. Example: colored brake calipers will never add anything to trade value. Some options will - Z51 and magnetic ride.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 88
Likes: 1
Don't listen to people who tell you to cancel your order on the Corvette and buy a house instead. Do what makes you happy, and if this is your dream car, then buy it and enjoy!
Definitely DO NOT use a cover. You will scratch the entire car up with the dirt and debris that will get trapped in between your car and the cover. I would look for other ways to protect your car such as a small canopy (if you have room) or simply save up your money and move somwehere with a garage or canopy to store your new baby in.
Good luck
Definitely DO NOT use a cover. You will scratch the entire car up with the dirt and debris that will get trapped in between your car and the cover. I would look for other ways to protect your car such as a small canopy (if you have room) or simply save up your money and move somwehere with a garage or canopy to store your new baby in.
Good luck