To rust proof or not to!

[Iso]

I drove my 1980 corvette for 16 years every winter, not once did I get stuck in the snow. Knowing that the body is made from fibreglass confident that my Vette would weather the storms of winter. Until the floorboards rotted out and so did the frame. Corvette advertised that their frames on the 1980 corvettes were rustproofed by the factory. Big mistake on my part. Okay, the C7 has an aluminium frame and the body from composite materials, so it should be okay to drive in winter free from any fear of rusting out, apart from salt damage. I think we are missing out on one very important factor; the electrical system, the newer vets were plagued with electrical malfunctions. With all the sensors and electrical wiring, connections are subjected to corrosion, an oil spray (Krown) lubricates these elements and protect them from moisture. But, I don't drive my Vette in rain, and, you don't wash it with water either? Look, unless you have a climate-controlled garage condensation will form from humidity. I have been thinking of buying a C7 yes I will have it rust-proofed; no, I will not drive it in Winter. PS: So why does corvette provide 3 years against rust perforation guarantee. What happens after 3 years??
Regards ISO

 

[AxeZ06]

After a warranty on anything runs out, you're on your own.
So.....no rain drives, no snow driving and you want a C7 sprayed with krown?
To me, this is crazy talk.
I park my car in the winter. I've yet to drive it in rain (8000+kms) and haven't used the wipers yet.
If I saw a looney size drop of krown anywhere on my car, I'd lose it.
OP....if you're really concerned about electrics / wiring / connections, get a tube of dielectric grease, undo all connections, and apply dielectric, and reconnect.

 

[Iso]

Looks like I touched on a nerve. Thank you for your replay: To suggest that I should strip down to the wiring and grease each connection with dielectric grease is impractical; this process should be factory procedures. Do you shower three times a day???

 

[AxeZ06]

No nerves touched, all good.
Taking connections apart, and applying di grease is somewhat common in the motorcycling world. Water troubles happen much more frequent, hence the use.
I've only done it to the connections (that were a problem) one bike, in 45yrs of owning at least a couple dozen bikes.
I never suggested taking looms apart, that's crazy on a new(ish) car.
But.....krown on a C7? Sorry......that makes my head hurt.

How are you going to spray the car's main loom? You know it's buried under the carpet?
It's prone to humidity exactly the same as the wiring that's visible, if the car is used as you say it will be.

p.s. no idea why it matters, but I have showered 4 times in a day, but 1 or 2 / day is usually ok.

 

[Iso]

I too was a motorcycle rider back in my youthful days, can't remember that I had any electrical problems with my 650cc Triumph. Comparing a corvette to a motorcycle is like apples to oranges. The main loom is not the issue my friend, it's what it connects to is the issue. Eg: window hardware is mostly plastic the gears that run the auto windows are plastic, ABS system is exposed to road grime and all the rest of the many sensors that are electrically driven. I get where you are coming from, taking care of an expensive car can't be ignored, you may have your reasons why you dislike Krown, for me spending a few dollars to protect and prolong the life expectancy from electrical failure gives me peace of mind.
Take care of your heart!

 

[AxeZ06]

Window hardware is plastic?
Ok......how does humidity affect that?
Did you armor all the seat on the bonnie?

 

[Iso]

Looks like we both have time on our hands. You must be retired also. Plastic runners gears are not subject to moisture per-say to corrosion, simply to lubricate from friction. Not too sure what my bonnie has anything to do with electrical. but yes I do protect my seats with what is the best product to preserve and protect the fabric. I take it that is your Vette in the picture. Nice car!.

 

[Phil]

Iso, you should be fine. i drove the snot out of mine its first winter (car was delivered in the winter) but less so now, mostly due to traction issues when its below 3 degrees celsius. if you are going to drive it when there's salt on the road, make sure to wash it, especially the undercarriage. enjoy your vehicle rather than staring at it on foam and a battery teather for 8 months out of the year

 

[AxeZ06]

Yes lso, retired (96) from the co responsible for building your truck.
Here's a corrosion prevention story for you......
There were a handful of guys that ordered whatever we were builing at the time.
As an employee, your car gets put together a bit better at every station.
Just after paint (those following their build) the boys had a 'spot'. They heated up a 5 gallon pail of vaseline until liquid, and sprayed the inner body.
Once, someone wanted his ceiling done.......didn't work out well in the sun, when it wicked through his head liner.
All in all, the vaseline made / helped those cars withstand rust.
There was an additive (no memory) that helped it creep into crevices.
I have no personal experience.

 

[ddgermann]

Yes lso, retired (96) from the co responsible for building your truck.
Here's a corrosion prevention story for you......
There were a handful of guys that ordered whatever we were builing at the time.
As an employee, your car gets put together a bit better at every station.
Just after paint (those following their build) the boys had a 'spot'. They heated up a 5 gallon pail of vaseline until liquid, and sprayed the inner body.
Once, someone wanted his ceiling done.......didn't work out well in the sun, when it wicked through his head liner.
All in all, the vaseline made / helped those cars withstand rust.
There was an additive (no memory) that helped it creep into crevices.
I have no personal experience.

Interesting conversation you fellas got going on here.

You are right about earlier generations of corvettes having some electrical problems. Especially the C4s and somewhat but much less is the C5s. Grounding was one of the big flaws. C6s and C7s it is not a common thing in the wiring or connections. The C6s quite often have issues with connections to wheel speed sensors that sets off an ABS warning code. Usually fixed easily with a connection clean up and dielectric grease. Unless you’re me.... had to replace the sensor, which is conveniently integrated into the hub and not covered under warranty. Haha... ya
The issues on the newer generations is usually an end device or software/firmware problem now. Computers run everything now and soon will be driving for you too.

The anti corrosion stuff is not something I would put on my corvette but did have all the void spaces in the body and frame done on my H1 Hummer a few years ago during a major restoration. The thing got torn to bits and completely rebuilt. That stuff was dripping out of the truck in various places for a year after.
On your modern corvette the underside is pretty much completely covered for aerodynamics so it going to be both protected from moisture and salt as well as hold any that gets in there.
The calcium juice they are using in Edmonton now is causing a huge outcry as it’s eating up everything on the roads... let alone corvettes. Very rare to see a corvette on the road in YEG in the winter. Unless the tires are changed on a C7 it’s not possible anyway. They are summer traction only and will crack up.
A properly ventilated and heated garage will prevent humidity from being a problem for your corvette. In Alberta it’s dry in the winter so many including me park in unheated garages and moisture is never an issue. A couple desiccant pouches inside is good insurance no matter where you are as well.

Plenty of people drive their corvettes in the winter and love it. It really depends on how you define “winter” based on where you are. We will all get caught in the rain if we actually drive the cars more than a little trip on a good day. It really is not a problem. They are designed to get wet. The modern electrical connections are really water tight as well but pulling a few exposed ones apart and adding something that’s hydrophobic is sensible too.

These discussions are always interesting to read along and yours is no different.

Enjoy your corvette and CCF.

 

[Iso]

Yes lso, retired (96) from the co responsible for building your truck.
Here's a corrosion prevention story for you......
There were a handful of guys that ordered whatever we were builing at the time.
As an employee, your car gets put together a bit better at every station.
Just after paint (those following their build) the boys had a 'spot'. They heated up a 5 gallon pail of vaseline until liquid, and sprayed the inner body.
Once, someone wanted his ceiling done.......didn't work out well in the sun, when it wicked through his head liner.
All in all, the vaseline made / helped those cars withstand rust.
There was an additive (no memory) that helped it creep into crevices.
I have no personal experience.

Yes lso, retired (96) from the co responsible for building your truck.
Here's a corrosion prevention story for you......
There were a handful of guys that ordered whatever we were builing at the time.
As an employee, your car gets put together a bit better at every station.
Just after paint (those following their build) the boys had a 'spot'. They heated up a 5 gallon pail of vaseline until liquid, and sprayed the inner body.
Once, someone wanted his ceiling done.......didn't work out well in the sun, when it wicked through his head liner.
All in all, the vaseline made / helped those cars withstand rust.
There was an additive (no memory) that helped it creep into crevices.
I have no personal experience.

Garry, I think I remember you now. You were in maintenance as an electrician. The accident you suffered is coming back to me. Pitfalls of being old.

 

[AxeZ06]

No. Not me Ivan.
Do you remember the vaseline spray behind water test?

 

[Iso]

No. Not me Ivan.
Do you remember the vaseline spray behind water test?

Okay, wrong guy. No, I don't recall that vaseline at the water test.

 

[AxeZ06]

That's good..... that you didn't know........you guys weren't supposed to! lol.