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Auto Detailing and AppearanceShare tips and tricks on how to make your Third Gen shine! Get opinions on products or how something tasteful looks on your Chevrolet Camaro or Pontiac Firebird.
Well I spent the morning giving the car a good bath and detail job. It's usually the stinky kid in class (never gets a bath.........well, never gets dirty hehe), but I decided to give it a good wash before it goes under a cover in my garage for the winter. Anyone else doing the same? It's been kind of weird spending time with this car today......it's the anniversary of when my brother was killed in a twin car to mine...its been 29 years and seems like yesterday..
Well I spent the morning giving the car a good bath and detail job. It's usually the stinky kid in class (never gets a bath.........well, never gets dirty hehe), but I decided to give it a good wash before it goes under a cover in my garage for the winter. Anyone else doing the same? It's been kind of weird spending time with this car today......it's the anniversary of when my brother was killed in a twin car to mine...its been 29 years and seems like yesterday..
I’m getting ready to do the same.. I usually wait until December to really put it away, but oil change, really good interior cleaning, wash the top, dust clean and wax paint..
I want to do some cleaning underneath before it goes away too. I never cleaned under there. It’s just dusty and there’s cobwebs up under the front end.
I’ll have to put dryer sheets in the engine bay again to deter the mice. Seemed to improve the problem.. Might have to get mouse traps. I think they have migrated more towards the barn now.
I need to to pick up a tarp to go under the car too..
What a tribute to your brother that you get to care for this pristine car! There must be comfort in it..
Thanks man....yep, it is pretty cool to have the same thing that he cherished so much! I have the license plates off of his car under my drivers seat...and the Z28 dash emblem out of his car is inside my center console
Thanks man....yep, it is pretty cool to have the same thing that he cherished so much! I have the license plates off of his car under my drivers seat...and the Z28 dash emblem out of his car is inside my center console
That’s awesome you got those things from his car.
Yeah, I have to remember to fill up with 93 right before they start salting the roads.. I didn’t have any problem with gas going bad using premium. Only issue was I almost ran out of gas by the springtime from letting the engine run 20min/week.
We are just getting over two months of love bugs and my car is pretty much parked aug-sept. As soon as this hip heals up i plan to do some cruising in this nice fall weather. Never really put mine up for winter down here until late December when deer season gets good. Then come late Feb she's out again. Hopefully with 5.7 liters this spring.
Ugh,,,love bugs. Gives me shivers. Took my then new '91 Camaro RS down south for some stock car races, and ran into those hasty little things. Despite daily bath, one still ethed it's way through the clear coat on the leading edge of the hood.
Makes me wish I lived in the south where I could enjoy it year round!
WE here in the south have our issues in the summer months. It is hot as all hell down here and sometimes too hot to take the car out and enjoy it. DmCain and Dyno Dave have those bugs too go along with the heat. We may not have to store the cars but I sure don't drive much between July-Sept.
Glad to hear the car brought those memories back, it is a good feeling!
Yeah, I have to remember to fill up with 93 right before they start salting the roads.. I didn’t have any problem with gas going bad using premium. Only issue was I almost ran out of gas by the springtime from letting the engine run 20min/week.
You guys should try to find some non-ethonal fuel (rec 90) to fill your tanks. The ethanol breaks down and turns to water over time.
Sorry to hear about brother. I wait a little longer till the first salt/ snow. And then at some point a wash and wax after when the temps are above 32. North winters force storage but it allows you to tend to needed repairs and/or upgrades. Plus I’ll take snow and car storage over hot summers in Florida any day.
I had to look up love bugs because we don’t have them up here..
they sound terrible! They actually eat through your paint by secreting acid??
My biggest concern is the mice. I’ve noticed we have a lot of bunnies all over the place too. Tells me we are lacking appropriate predator population in our area.
Every spring I find mouse droppings by my passenger side runners in the engine.
They even got in my Tahoe’s air filter and made a nest.
At least the ones that get in the basement are dealt with by the cats. I wish we could let the cats out, but we live on a busy road and they grew up as city cats and never went outside.
Storage is a must up where I am but I enjoy still pondering over the toys and what to add to the list to make it that much better. It's amazing how small details can make or break the look. Mice! They are nasty! the mess things up good and no matter how good you've tried to seal the garage up they still manage to get in. Traps with peanut butter gets them every time! Just finished getting the new shop built this summer. Now the toys can also be put on display over winter. Have to see if those pests get in.
Storage is a must up where I am but I enjoy still pondering over the toys and what to add to the list to make it that much better. It's amazing how small details can make or break the look. Mice! They are nasty! the mess things up good and no matter how good you've tried to seal the garage up they still manage to get in. Traps with peanut butter gets them every time! Just finished getting the new shop built this summer. Now the toys can also be put on display over winter. Have to see if those pests get in.
Man, that garage looks clean!
I’ve been told the peanut butter traps work great on mice.. The dryer sheets worked a little bit.. didn’t see a nest after that, but still a few feces by the runners.. They just find other places to nest like in a folded up tarp or in the lawnmower grass clipping bag.. Only really a problem in winter..
I'm sure glad I got my Camaro cleaned up and put away yesterday..........this is my dd Buick Regal sitting outside RIGHT NOW. It's too early for this crap....
I've always used dryer sheets and they seem to work ok. This summer I got some sacks that have a strong minty smell and put them under the dash and hood. I constantly put traps and poison out in the shop also.Some old hot Rodders swear by those sacks i bought. Last winter i had a mouse for in my fan motor and it took a week to find. OMG it was tough. Got those sacks at Tractor Supply.
start your upgrade list yet? Lol I figured you were starting the normal storage process a tad soon. I still feel I’d wait till more consistent snow or salt is down. We had snow in higher elevations in wv.
I've always used dryer sheets and they seem to work ok. This summer I got some sacks that have a strong minty smell and put them under the dash and hood. I constantly put traps and poison out in the shop also.Some old hot Rodders swear by those sacks i bought. Last winter i had a mouse for in my fan motor and it took a week to find. OMG it was tough. Got those sacks at Tractor Supply.
I'm sure glad I got my Camaro cleaned up and put away yesterday..........this is my dd Buick Regal sitting outside RIGHT NOW. It's too early for this crap....
start your upgrade list yet? Lol I figured you were starting the normal storage process a tad soon. I still feel I’d wait till more consistent snow or salt is down. We had snow in higher elevations in wv.
My upgrade list is non existent lol. Not changing a thing. Oh I guess my temp sending unit needs replaced, so I'll probably do that sometime over winter
She sure is a beauty dagwood I'm sure it's hard to put a cover on her and walk away. I've looked at mine sitting in the shop almost a month now I can't even get down in it at this point and I'm sick about it. Nov 10th we have a big Veterans program and show so I will let my son drive me down there in it i guess if my old hip is healed up enough by then.
My son helped me top off the IROCs today. Once they have a full tank and can of Seafoam, and are tucked in the garage, I can detail and work on them at my leisure.
My son helped me top off the IROCs today. Once they have a full tank and can of Seafoam, and are tucked in the garage, I can detail and work on them at my leisure.
She sure is a beauty dagwood I'm sure it's hard to put a cover on her and walk away. I've looked at mine sitting in the shop almost a month now I can't even get down in it at this point and I'm sick about it. Nov 10th we have a big Veterans program and show so I will let my son drive me down there in it i guess if my old hip is healed up enough by then.
Thanks man! I hope your hip gets feeling better! You'll have to be sure to take some pics at that show!
My son helped me top off the IROCs today. Once they have a full tank and can of Seafoam, and are tucked in the garage, I can detail and work on them at my leisure.
I enjoyed my IROC-Z more when I lived in Minnesota than I do now in Florida. The summers here are brutal. So, in late January to late February/mid March, you get very heavy pollen, so the TTops need to be in or you're detailing the full interior, daily. The car will also be a nice shade of green on the outside. Starting in late March, we get 6-8 weeks of love bugs, so the car gets parked or you risk the issues of daily washing to get them off the paint. Mid May starts the rainy season and the humidity which lasts until September, so expect daily afternoon rains and excessive heat, so no TTops. After Labor day, you now get the mix of rain and the second 6-8 weeks of love bugs. By mid October, the love bugs should be gone, the daily rains are gone, the humidity has dropped and the temps are fantastic. So, instead of 6 months of enjoying the car in extremely cold Minnesota, I get about 2 full months of enjoyment in Florida!!!
Lived in Florida most of my life, but last 8 years been up in West Virginia so I forgot about these bugs lol. I’d argue that’s better on your bumper than a deer or bear up here lol.
For me, the heat, unbearable slow speed limits, and traffic ruin the ttop experience down south lol. Snow is a trade off but a couple projects bypass the time it’s stored.
OH MY GOSH!! I figured it was some kind of lady bug!
Well since my car is parked, I've started taking the carb off it for a rebuild. The parts manager at the dealership I work for is known to be the king of Quadrajet crabs, so he's going to go through it for me, and told me that all I have to pay for is the rebuild kit. It acts like my accelerator pump is gummed up, so it'll be nice to have it running perfectly. I'm gonna bump the timing up a little, too....
I'm ready to move back up north. I've had enough of this!!
Ha Ha ... This a great description of here in Florida Scott. After reading this it is a wonder that all these Northerners want to move down here. I don't get it. Maybe this should be posted on the Northern travel sites and then maybe it would keep them away! Hey and don't forget that you left out the most important part about the pit falls of living and driving in Florida...all these BAD drivers that come down here to live in this god awful place causing traffic jams and wrecking our nice third gens. Trying to avoid them is harder than avoiding that pesky afternoon rain!
I enjoyed my IROC-Z more when I lived in Minnesota than I do now in Florida. The summers here are brutal. So, in late January to late February/mid March, you get very heavy pollen, so the TTops need to be in or you're detailing the full interior, daily. The car will also be a nice shade of green on the outside. Starting in late March, we get 6-8 weeks of love bugs, so the car gets parked or you risk the issues of daily washing to get them off the paint. Mid May starts the rainy season and the humidity which lasts until September, so expect daily afternoon rains and excessive heat, so no TTops. After Labor day, you now get the mix of rain and the second 6-8 weeks of love bugs. By mid October, the love bugs should be gone, the daily rains are gone, the humidity has dropped and the temps are fantastic. So, instead of 6 months of enjoying the car in extremely cold Minnesota, I get about 2 full months of enjoyment in Florida!!!
Be careful of what you wish for.
Scott, I remember when you came up to Chicago a couple of years ago. You had an interesting comment that always stuck with me. You said in Florida, summer cruise nights are miserable because of the heat. And when the weather turns cooler and is more comfortable for cruising, the sun goes down so soon that no one can see each other's cars.
Dagwood running ethanol free gas is a good idea on a carb. Ethanol will gum them up. I run ethanol free in everything but my daily driven pickups. When we started getting ethanol gas down here lots of car show crowd with older cars immediately started having carb issues.I noticed my mower and 4wheelers carbs staying much cleaner since going ethanol free also.
We just gained a gas station (a 16 pump Kroger station, if you can believe that) that has 90 octane no-ethanol gas. The T/A likes it. And for as few miles as I drive it a year, it's easy to justify the extra cost.
As for FLA...it's not all bad guys. I've vacationed down there many, many times. Dad was stationed in Florida during his time in the Navy during the Korean war. Mom loved it, so we always went back for our summer vacations.Wife, kids and I have been 8-10 times in the last 20 years. So yeah, hot, humid, bugs, traffic. But also a lot of very beautiful weather, and wonderful beaches, especially on the gulf side. Folks had a winter place down there in Lady Lake. I can see me going down there to winter.
We just gained a gas station (a 16 pump Kroger station, if you can believe that) that has 90 octane no-ethanol gas. The T/A likes it. And for as few miles as I drive it a year, it's easy to justify the extra cost.
As for FLA...it's not all bad guys. I've vacationed down there many, many times. Dad was stationed in Florida during his time in the Navy during the Korean war. Mom loved it, so we always went back for our summer vacations.Wife, kids and I have been 8-10 times in the last 20 years. So yeah, hot, humid, bugs, traffic. But also a lot of very beautiful weather, and wonderful beaches, especially on the gulf side. Folks had a winter place down there in Lady Lake. I can see me going down there to winter.
Scott, I remember when you came up to Chicago a couple of years ago. You had an interesting comment that always stuck with me. You said in Florida, summer cruise nights are miserable because of the heat. And when the weather turns cooler and is more comfortable for cruising, the sun goes down so soon that no one can see each other's cars.
That's true. Now that the cooler weather is setting in, the days are also getting shorter, so darkness is upon us earlier. I never noticed how lit, or unlit, parking lots were for Minnesota car cruises since we cruised during the summer months and it got dark after 9pm. The best time for a cruise in Florida is now, but it gets dark around 7pm. Give it a few more weeks and the time will change, so it'll be even earlier, and parking lots don't have much light around here, so you can't see the cars!!!
We just gained a gas station (a 16 pump Kroger station, if you can believe that) that has 90 octane no-ethanol gas. The T/A likes it. And for as few miles as I drive it a year, it's easy to justify the extra cost.
As for FLA...it's not all bad guys. I've vacationed down there many, many times. Dad was stationed in Florida during his time in the Navy during the Korean war. Mom loved it, so we always went back for our summer vacations.Wife, kids and I have been 8-10 times in the last 20 years. So yeah, hot, humid, bugs, traffic. But also a lot of very beautiful weather, and wonderful beaches, especially on the gulf side. Folks had a winter place down there in Lady Lake. I can see me going down there to winter.
I have lived here since 1977 and you are correct that it is not all bad. I like it here even with it's issues.
Now back to topic and you guys really should (if you can) use Rec 90, your car will love you for it when you take it out in the Spring.
Agreed, sorry for off topic rant. Plenty of beautiful things there as well, especially beaches! Ok now on topic, try to find something to fix on your picture perfect car this winter!
Carb is off and delivered for the rebuild! I guess it's a good time to do a little detailing on the engine with the extra room. Just a little crud on the intake and top edge of the valve covers.
dmccain, yeah I usually only run premium fuel in it. The car has only had 8k miles put on it in the last 21 years, so the rebuild should do the carb a lot of good. The fuel filter still looked like brand new so that's a good sign lol. It wanted to bog a little bit when you stood on the throttle, so I hope she will run as good as it can. I want to feel every one of those 145 ground pounding horsepower! Hahaha
I typically would be putting mine away for the long Cleveland winters around this time; however, because I didn't get it out on the road until June (couldn't get it started after the engine rebuild) I will continue to drive it as long as I can. This week has been tough with mid-30 temps in the morning: I didn't put the heater/ac back in.
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