Winter noob -- Painted wheels??

[TurboBerserker]

Hey guys, Help the (still) winter noob out. What do I need to do to prep a set of fully painted rims for winter? What do I need to do *during* the winter to keep any salt from turning my wheels into garbage? I'm not going to be driving in deep snow days (haha!! c5 plow!!) but will take it out on slush / paved / light snow days. BTW, what in the hell is a "salt build up day"?? I've been told that during the winter, just hit a car was that does a wheel treatment every 2-3 weeks. Is that enough?

[Ol'55]

Eric? Just the visual of the scenario that you describe is disturbing to most of us, but if you must do this unspeakable act of Corvette torture, I would suggest you treat your painted wheels in the same way you treat any other painted surface of your car.











May God have mercy on your soul.

[0JPM@AutoBuffs]

Originally Posted by Ol'55

Eric? Just the visual of the scenario that you describe is disturbing to most of us, but if you must do this unspeakable act of Corvette torture, I would suggest you treat your painted wheels in the same way you treat any other painted surface of your car.











May God have mercy on your soul.

and ummm God Save The Queen

[TurboBerserker]

And not to sound like a complete winter noob, but in my previous winters, I drove brand a new vehicle with brand new paint. I didn't do much but run it through a touchless car wash with "winter wax"... I did like the car, but frankly, was not planning on keeping it longer than 3-5 years so didn't worry about it too much,

What should I do with my baby? BTW, my six year old began referring to the vette as "Baby" without anyone else ever doing so (not to mention consoling it when we take another vehicle) -- it has now stuck lol.

[Humanoid 2.0]

Since you will be doing frequent carwashes not much, if you are going to a car wash it is best to go to one with an undercarriage wash too. If you drove less frequently would say a good coat of wheel wax would help to protect them, but that will come off with the all car washes anyway. On my DD I do put a thin coat of anti-seize on the back of then wheel where it meets the hub to prevent rust.

[DRM500RUBYZR-1]

At least you have the right attitude about it, by trying to prepare for it.
I too once did the "unthinkable".
I loved my first ZR-1 so much, that I drove it year round. Now South Jersey winters versus Rochester winters are two different things altogether but snow is snow.
Br thankful you have a C5! The 92 ZR-1 was the first year with the new " ASR". It used to be a real hoot observing how confused the computer would get trying to go up my steep driveway in the snow. Your IPOD has more processing power than that early ASR. It would just give up after awhile!
Back to your question. My 92 had clearcoated, painted factory wheels.
I gave the wheels a thorugh waxing in November, and again in mid winter when you get that nice warmish day.(32+).
The car rec'd the same treatment.
The idea of a car wash with a good underbody and wheel spray is good, but you should periodically hose it down at home when the weather permits, to get the undisolved salt off of everywhere.
Rainy days are your friend in these situations, and hitting stnading water safely does a fine job of getting most of the wheels areas cleansed of the evil stuff.
Bottom line: normal maintenance, just more of it!
Enjoy driving the car. I found that 92 to be very predictable in the snow, but not so hot on the ice!
If you have the funds, winter tires would be great for you and your plans!
Enjoy driving it!!!
Although we all cringe, we are all also jealous!!! Trust me on that!
They are cars afterall, and "back in the day" one would not think of parking the Vette in the winter, and rain, hell they all leaked and evryone knew that because they drove them.
Good luck, and just keep it washed and waxed as often as possible.
I used to go to the car wash, then put it in the garage and do the waxing.
Now you drive "baby" carefully now in that snow, and don't forget to get 100's of pictures of it to share, easpecially with and for your 6 year old! My 9 yr old would kill to see the Vette out in the snow!
( Then again, he might kill me for doing it!)
ENJOY!!!

Marty
1FUNZR1

[vetdude]

Important to note about winter driving: It's not that your Corvette won't go in the snow/slush, the question is will the guy behind you in his 10-year old Ford F150 with bald tires doing 60mph while talking on his cell be able to stop in time?

This is the primary reason, that and the effects road salt has on any metal parts, we personally store our Corvettes over the winter.