What to do if it rains?

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1969VADart

1969VADart

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Since completing my Dart, it has never been driven in the rain. While not perfectly clean, the underside of the car is still "pretty clean." We are going out on our first multi-day trip this weekend for Carlisle, and it looks like there is at least a decent possibility that we may get some thunderstorms one or two days. For those of you who drive your cars, particularly with show cars, and don't have a trailer to tuck them away in when it rains, what do you do with your car on a trip like this? Do you bring along anything specific in terms of car cleaning products for a trip like this? I also don't currently have a good car cover because my Dart stays in the garage all the time, so it just gets a regular dusting. I don't mind the rain, but I hate to get my Dart filthy on this trip. Would appreciate any thoughts or advice.
 
1969VADart said:
Do you bring along anything specific in terms of car cleaning products for a trip like this? I also don't currently have a good car cover because my Dart stays in the garage all the time, so it just gets a regular dusting. I don't mind the rain, but I hate to get my Dart filthy on this trip. Would appreciate any thoughts or advice.
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if it rains it rains.. not much you are going to do about it.. drive it and worry about it later.. all part of the fun.. i always bring my bucket of cleaning supplies. if it rains look at it as a free car wash.. dry it and it will look good as new..:)

we were out there for the week in 2015. hit dutch wonderland and hershey park then carlisle for the weekend.. got some heavy *** rain the one day.. luck we happened to be at an inside exhibit when it started.. got to the hotel dried off the car, some quick detail and it was as good as it was going to get..:) all part of the fun of actually driving them...

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can always get one of those cheap clear plastic covers.. good if ya know the rain is coming and you aren't planning on driving at that time.. think i still have on in the trunk of the dart..
 
1969VADart said:
Since completing my Dart, it has never been driven in the rain. While not perfectly clean, the underside of the car is still "pretty clean." We are going out on our first multi-day trip this weekend for Carlisle, and it looks like there is at least a decent possibility that we may get some thunderstorms one or two days. For those of you who drive your cars, particularly with show cars, and don't have a trailer to tuck them away in when it rains, what do you do with your car on a trip like this? Do you bring along anything specific in terms of car cleaning products for a trip like this? I also don't currently have a good car cover because my Dart stays in the garage all the time, so it just gets a regular dusting. I don't mind the rain, but I hate to get my Dart filthy on this trip. Would appreciate any thoughts or advice.
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lets put it this way. Cars were meant to be driven. No offense, its not like its a 1 of 3 hemi cuda worth millions. That said, i completely understand your feelings and concerns on it. But I say drive it, if it rains, or even if it doesnt, give it a thorough bath after you get home, underneath as well, hand dry it, blow dry the common rust areas out. Problem solved.
 
Might want to check the wiper pivots with a hose to see if they leak. I believe that this a common problem you might be able to fix before you have a wet carpet.
 
Carlisle has a free car wash area with hoses. Entering Gate 3, it's 200 yards on the left.
 
Carlisle is always good for at least one good thunderstorm during the Mopar show. I don't worry about the rain, it is the big winds and occasional hail I worry about there. A few years ago, the winds came in so hard and fast that vendors tents were flying around, destroyed. Your car is going to have grass clippings and dust/ mud from driving through the grounds underneath anyway. Just clean it off and enjoy the Mopars and the people. If you are going to worry about rain, you might as well get white cotton gloves and just push your car around. LOL
 
Go drive it down a gravel road and get over it.
May as well ding it with a hammer and get that out of the way too.

It's like I used to say when I sold motorcycles, they should just kick them over at the factory and get it over with.

You'll enjoy driving it a LOT more one you've dirtied it and dinged it.
 
What to do if it rains?

:D Turn on your wipers!! Sorry, just had to....
 
I used to pretend my car was a motorcycle. If its raining,I aint going anywhere.
Now I just dont have time to drive it with other projects going on.
I might as well sell it. But my relationship with the car has been 35 great years. 10 years longer than with my wife. And much less arguments.OOPS!LOL!
 
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Dry it off and keep driving. You only get one shot at life, enjoy it instead of worrying about getting your car dirty.
 
mycuda said:
I used to pretend my car was a motorcycle. If its raining,I aint going anywhere.
Now I just dont have time to drive it with other projects going on.
I might as well sell it. But my relationship with the car has been 35 great years. 10 years longer than with my wife. And much less arguments.OOPS!LOL!
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I actually like riding in the rain, snow completely different story, I hate 2 wheels and snow.
Worked late one night to come out to 2" of fresh powder on the ground, I had some butt pucker moments that night on the ride home.
 
Honestly, knowing all the work I did over 20 years,
I would feel guilty driving in the rain.
Only concerning thing would be the under chassis, that these a body's Are prone to rust without slapping rain water up and in between Fender splash shields, tBar assembly etc. and so forth.

:(
 
I got a dose of perspective at Moparfest when it pored rain a couple of years ago. I was getting agitated and worried. Parked behind me was a Hemi Superbird. They weren't sweating it getting wet. Shrugged my shoulders, said "what the hell" and went back to enjoying myself.
 
Take along a few towels. If You have a good wax job - wipe it dry, and that's all you'll need.
 
Thanks for all the replies. I laughed if nothing else. I am not averse to driving in the rain. It's just that first drive in the rain after a fresh build is tough to swallow.

RogerRamRod said:
Did you get your "whomp-whomp-whomp" figured out?
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Think the "whomp-whomp-whomp" is a bad axle shaft bearing. Working on getting that repaired now. Should be good to go. That's why I started worrying about something else--driving in the rain! :eek:
 
The rain isn't the problem, it's the water hanging around afterward. The parts that rust aren't just parts that get wet, it's where dirt and junk collect and then get wet and stay that way (lower quarters, fender dog legs etc), or where water can puddle and collect and hang out (floor boards, trunk well, etc). Water by itself just runs out or dries up in most climates.

On a fresh rebuild you shouldn't have any dirt and road grime packed into the usual spots, and the seals and gaskets should keep it out of the trunk and interior.

In other words, not a problem. It's a car, it's meant to be driven.
 
I have been driving my 67 GTS where ever it goes for over 50 years now. It has never seen the inside of a trailer and no rust but it has spent its entire life in the south
 
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