Can you "Winterise" a Caterham?
Discussion
I'm sure I'm not the first to ask this, but maybe someone can point to a thread where this is covered?M I'm determined that my next "toy" car will not be so vulnerable to corrosion as my current elderly MR2. (I basically avoid using that car at all when there's a chance of rain, doubly so if it's salty!)
I had hoped a fairly recent Caterham would be up to year-round use if the driver could tolerate it, but I have seen a few posts on here that mention avoiding salt/rain becuase they are prone to corrode. Can the car be protected effectively using modern products like Dinitrol and ACF50, or are there loads of "crap-traps" inherent in the design and weak points where corrosion may start.
I wouldn't choose to take one out in a thunderstorm, but I'd like to be able to use it on a crisp winter day, or go for a drive without worrying too much about "getting home before the rain starts". I don't mind getting rained on myself so much, but I wouldn't want a nice car to dissolve!
PS: I think "Winterise" may be an Americanism. Sorry about that.
I had hoped a fairly recent Caterham would be up to year-round use if the driver could tolerate it, but I have seen a few posts on here that mention avoiding salt/rain becuase they are prone to corrode. Can the car be protected effectively using modern products like Dinitrol and ACF50, or are there loads of "crap-traps" inherent in the design and weak points where corrosion may start.
I wouldn't choose to take one out in a thunderstorm, but I'd like to be able to use it on a crisp winter day, or go for a drive without worrying too much about "getting home before the rain starts". I don't mind getting rained on myself so much, but I wouldn't want a nice car to dissolve!
PS: I think "Winterise" may be an Americanism. Sorry about that.
Aww999 - you can use a Caterham all year round, but you will get some corrosion if you do. Using Dinitol or similar will help, but you have to remember that this is a 56 year old car design, so has not been designed with the current approach to rust prevention.
The main thing to avoid is salt as this causes the biggest problems - it will mark unpainted aluminium if left on it and, when mixed with water acts as the electrolyte between any steel/aluminium interfaces - basically where the skin meets the chassis, particularly around any rivet holes. There are also two grot traps, one each side between the skin and the footwell, so spray in there.
The worst thing you can do is to take it on damp salty roads and then leave it in a garage for a few weeks - if it is used regularly then a lot of it washes off in the rain.
Having said all that, the Caterham is very easy to get at and maintain. Put it on axle stands once a year, give the underside a good clean and treat any rusty chassis members you see and iit will easily see you through 10 years before you need to think about a re skin and respray.!
If you are a polisher, then this isn't the car for you but, if you like to drive, then enjoy it, but don't skimp on the maintenance.
Steve
The main thing to avoid is salt as this causes the biggest problems - it will mark unpainted aluminium if left on it and, when mixed with water acts as the electrolyte between any steel/aluminium interfaces - basically where the skin meets the chassis, particularly around any rivet holes. There are also two grot traps, one each side between the skin and the footwell, so spray in there.
The worst thing you can do is to take it on damp salty roads and then leave it in a garage for a few weeks - if it is used regularly then a lot of it washes off in the rain.
Having said all that, the Caterham is very easy to get at and maintain. Put it on axle stands once a year, give the underside a good clean and treat any rusty chassis members you see and iit will easily see you through 10 years before you need to think about a re skin and respray.!
If you are a polisher, then this isn't the car for you but, if you like to drive, then enjoy it, but don't skimp on the maintenance.
Steve
To be honest the design, in respect to corrosion resistance, is appalling. Mixed-metal joints riveted together without any form of boundary protection, water trap cavaties without drainage or aeration etc.
That being said, anything can be made to last if treated accordingly. If you're prepared to keep busy with rinsing and drying the car after winter drives, to ensure water cannot linger (lineral use of WD-40 & ACF-50) and are prepared to thoroughly clean the car including 'deep cleaning' the chassis rails and protect with something like Dinitrol 3225 every year (or even every 6 months), then it should be fine. However it may scupper the enjoyment somewhat.
That being said, anything can be made to last if treated accordingly. If you're prepared to keep busy with rinsing and drying the car after winter drives, to ensure water cannot linger (lineral use of WD-40 & ACF-50) and are prepared to thoroughly clean the car including 'deep cleaning' the chassis rails and protect with something like Dinitrol 3225 every year (or even every 6 months), then it should be fine. However it may scupper the enjoyment somewhat.
Being new to caterhams and the novelty not yet having worn off mine is used whenever I can find an excuse, I'm treating it like I would a motorcycle and making sure it gets pressure washed after each drive to wash the salt off, I'm sure ACF50 would be efective, most of the guys who run bikes through the winter use it to good effect.
I've used Dinitrol and acf50, and driven 17000 miles in 4 years.
A lot of those miles have been in the wet, and so far it seems to be lasting quite well despite a lot of stone chips.
However, I won't take it out when there is salt down however dry the roads.
The design (as has been said) means corrosion is inevitable, I won't have a car that is for dry use only, but driving on salt will mean a re-skin will be needed much sooner.
One of those new Alfas with a carbon chassis would be a much better bet for winter use.
A lot of those miles have been in the wet, and so far it seems to be lasting quite well despite a lot of stone chips.
However, I won't take it out when there is salt down however dry the roads.
The design (as has been said) means corrosion is inevitable, I won't have a car that is for dry use only, but driving on salt will mean a re-skin will be needed much sooner.
One of those new Alfas with a carbon chassis would be a much better bet for winter use.
There is an incredible amount of salt on the roads at the moment. I put my works van through a car wash just the other day & now it's covered in white salt deposits.
What's needed is plenty of rain followed by some milder temps so we can get out.
Mine hasn't moved for nearly a month & I'm getting itchy feet.
What's needed is plenty of rain followed by some milder temps so we can get out.
Mine hasn't moved for nearly a month & I'm getting itchy feet.
I've just removed all ali panels on mine to paint chassis prior to repaint in racing team colour. Its 18 years old and was an all weather road car for years before race conversion and there is just flaking powdercoat and light surface rust on frame and tiny bit of bubbling on side skin. Use it, wash it off when needed and don't worry would be my advise, plenty of 'normal' 18 year old cars would be as or more rusty.
Still not sure about the ban, but here is the thread
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=1&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=1&a...
Couple of thoughts really from a 'polisher', its a 1950's designed car and even saloons from that era didn't last as long as body work does today, if you not worried about future value or having to re-paint/chassis re-coating etc then do it.
Winter driving in a seven is an experience, whether you really want to do it everyday is something else, but if you do then I think you would be one of the few and enjoy
Winter driving in a seven is an experience, whether you really want to do it everyday is something else, but if you do then I think you would be one of the few and enjoy
I forgot to say that I drive mine all year round and have clicked up 37,000 miles in 7 and a bit years. I try to avoid salt but, as it is the 2nd household car, this sometimes can't be avoided.
There are plenty of stonechips on the wings and you can see where I have painted the chassis but otherwise you wouldn't think it was rusty.
Just enjoy it and don't worry too much.
Steve
There are plenty of stonechips on the wings and you can see where I have painted the chassis but otherwise you wouldn't think it was rusty.
Just enjoy it and don't worry too much.
Steve
dirtbiker said:
I like this sentiment - what's the point of having a toy if you're too scared to play with it?!
I agree - but as someone else pointed out, these are expensive toys, and I don't want to sweep up 25k of Caterham with a dustpan and brush after a few years of all-season use!Thankyou for all the responses, as always with PH there are five different answers to one question, but in reality it will be a 4k/year "third car" and it sounds like I will be OK with a bit of care. However, two young kids mean opportunities to enjoy it will be limited anyway, I don't want to restrict myself any further by having a toy I can only use when (1) the kids are occupied (2) I have a day off work and (3) the weather is perfect. In reality that means about 4 days per year - that's why I sold my Fisher Fury (aeroscreen, no weather gear). Caterham's rudimentary weather gear will be fine for my own comfort, I just don't want to worry about a significant investment dissolving after being caught in the rain!
Going away from the orignal topic somewhat, but would you guys say you'd get a lot more opportunity to use an Elise/Exige than your Caterhams? I'm trying to balance thrills/opportunity for use/desirability. Caterham wins hands-down on 1 & 3, and if it will hold up OK to the British weather, then perhaps it won't do too badly at point 2.
TO answer your original question, my car gets the occasional bit of use in the winter. It's 6 years old, the paint looks excellent but there is a little bit of bubbling underneath the car where it would make contact with the chassis rails. I've coated it was ACF50, but the car really doesn't go out much in the winter. It's been out once this year, and it'll have to go out on Monday for it's MOT, but other than that, I'll be keeping it off the road until the salt is all washed away.
In my case, I don't think an Elise/Exige would get much more use than the 7. I'd possibly be tempted to do more long range trips to Europe and some trackdays further way (just thanks to the extra comfort on motorways).
As far as the weather goes, I'd be unlikely to decide to go for a spirited drive in the rain even with a Lotus. If you just happen to be caught out in the rain, a 7 is fine once you get the hood up. I've driven for days in Scotland with the most awful rain imaginable and we just laughed it off for the most part.
aww999 said:
Going away from the orignal topic somewhat, but would you guys say you'd get a lot more opportunity to use an Elise/Exige than your Caterhams? I'm trying to balance thrills/opportunity for use/desirability. Caterham wins hands-down on 1 & 3, and if it will hold up OK to the British weather, then perhaps it won't do too badly at point 2.
I fought with this point for a while.In my case, I don't think an Elise/Exige would get much more use than the 7. I'd possibly be tempted to do more long range trips to Europe and some trackdays further way (just thanks to the extra comfort on motorways).
As far as the weather goes, I'd be unlikely to decide to go for a spirited drive in the rain even with a Lotus. If you just happen to be caught out in the rain, a 7 is fine once you get the hood up. I've driven for days in Scotland with the most awful rain imaginable and we just laughed it off for the most part
.Took mine out today, too nice not to. Some salt on it when I got back but then fully washed (including accessible bits of the underside), dried, and then put in the garage.
For me it is best endeavours to keep it clean (ACF50 underneath, washed when dirty) but it's there to be used and there is a limit to what you can do other than not drive it, and where's the fun in that...
For me it is best endeavours to keep it clean (ACF50 underneath, washed when dirty) but it's there to be used and there is a limit to what you can do other than not drive it, and where's the fun in that...
and then put in the garage
[/quote]
still keeping on the topic of 'winterising'
I take it that you're garage here is linked to block of flats -mine's about to go in one like this - bare brick walls and one of those corrugated asbestos like roofs.
Got plans to tile it all and put a false ceiling up. Maybe a TV and a man chair - will it all fit?
[/quote]
still keeping on the topic of 'winterising'
I take it that you're garage here is linked to block of flats -mine's about to go in one like this - bare brick walls and one of those corrugated asbestos like roofs.
Got plans to tile it all and put a false ceiling up. Maybe a TV and a man chair - will it all fit?
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