Driving in the RAIN!!!

[BadAsp427]

I have a little over 9100 miles on my 20th Anniversary Mk4 so far. I would estimate that ~600 of those miles were in the rain. During car shows, cars and coffee and just sitting a a red light, the most common question that I get is; What happens if it rains? You don't have a top! My answer is; I may get wet.... This morning I took the Mk4 out for a drive. It was sunny, 60 degrees and not even the hint of rain. I stopped to get a hair cut and when I came out, the sky was dark and it was spitting rain. I took a quick look at the radar and saw that there were a bunch of little pop up rain showers all around me. Typical for SC, if you don't like the weather, stick around it will change... I had the GoPro on the car so I decided to start recording and thought I would share the video with everyone.

Then, it occurred to me this could be a great opportunity to share with the new folks here how I manage driving in the rain. So this video turned into a little bit of a tutorial. If you are looking to get a Factory Five Mk4. It is not a matter of if you get caught in the rain, it is when. This may help you understand what to expect and at least how I respond to it.

Note, this was not a "down pour" it was however a pretty good shower. During the June 2019 Hot Rod Power Tour, I had to drive in a hard down pour for about 4 hours... I used the same procedures shown in this video plus a couple of stops under gas station overhangs.

Bottom line, if you drive one of these, you will get caught in the rain as some point. Face it, you are going to get a little wet... or a lot... it does't matter, it's all fun....


https://youtu.be/ownIP6X6P44

[Geoff H]

Thanks for posting. I like your approach!

[NAZ]

Got any video of driving in a hail storm?

[BadAsp427]

Got any video of driving in a hail storm?

Hail No!!!

[cv2065]

I do like to call you Sub Commander...

[NAZ]

I like that you drive your car and are having fun using it. And also that you're not afraid to get your brake rotors a little rusty.

[mburger]

I've been caught briefly at the edge of a larger storm, but I know I'll be getting wet at some point. Thanks for putting this together.

[Big Blocker]

Funniest part of this scenario is the comments you get from other drivers when you are stopped at a light or traffic backs up and you have to slow down enough that the "speed factor" stops working for you and you'e [just] sitting in it.
That and the looks you get . . .

My MK-II does not have wipers so we have always relied on Rain-X to keep the water moving - that being said, we very quickly discovered that Rain-X does not work when you are sitting still or traveling at a very reduced speed. Moisture just "sticks" to the windshield waiting for you to get moving again and then dumps the collection on your left knee. We now carry a small towel for that position in those rare occasions.

Like was mentioned, if you own a Cobra (that is not topped), it's only a matter of time until it happens to you - best laid plans?? Just enjoy the experience . . .

Doc

[Caddy Dad]

Thanks for the video! I'll be taking delivery of my kit next week and I'm still on the fence if I should install the FFR wipers or not. Seems like Rain-X does a good enough job while you're moving. Does anybody have any experience with the wipers that mount on top of the windshield frame? Any insight would be appreciated. Thoughts?

Thanks for posting.

[NAZ]

My experience with Rain-X is the same as Doc's. Works while you're moving (faster the better) but not so much at slow speed or stopped.

[Bob Cowan]

A little hail isn't so bad.
https://i.imgur.com/xY87E15.jpg

[NAZ]

Way to go Bob!

I've been caught in hail twice, once driving home after a wreck in a VW bug with the windshield busted out and the rag top ripped open (just a teenager, no AAA towing), and once on a motorcycle. Man that hurt both times.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Carl,
You know how that trail of water comes in and drips on your left knee? I keep a few pieces of memory foam in a bag in the trunk and do this:

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=70187&d=1499869021

---one closed in the gap between the cowl and door top
---one stuffed in between the windshield post and wind wing
---one between the door top and wind wing

Cuts down about 90% of the stream ;)

Drive on,
Jeff

[Jim1855]

Jeff,

I'm sorry. That's just wrong....

Jim

[Jeff Kleiner]

Jeff,

I'm sorry. That's just wrong....

Jim

So having rain pi$$ down your leg is right? ;)

Jeff

[TheDon]

Being in S FL I flip flopped between getting the roadster and the coupe just for this reason. I got the coupe and this was a big part of the decision as I plan on driving it a lot and relatively long distances to classic tracks like Sebring and Daytona 3-6 hrs.

Deciding factors;
A/C
Kinda Rainproof
Coupe uniqueness

[phileas_fogg]

Carl,
You know how that trail of water comes in and drips on your left knee? I keep a few pieces of memory foam in a bag in the trunk and do this...

As my Army colleagues say, "If it's stupid & it works, it's not stupid!"


John

[GTBradley]

My 63 MGB had leaks in just the right places. While driving home from my full-time 2nd shift job and already tired from 7am college classes, the leak that would blow in from the where the top met the windscreen would smack me in the forehead and keep me awake...and mad.

Anybody know how the Whitby top performs in the rain/cold?

[John4337]

We have the premium top, which we got because we wanted to take longer trips. Been caught several times, a couple of all day rain like the one in the video below. The top is good, and I so something similar to Jeff, and keep a couple of hand towels ready to fold up and place across the door gaps. Does a pretty good job of absorbing the water that follows the channel there. Still tracking down leaks around the windscreen sidebars. It’s all part of the adventure

John


https://youtu.be/srcA8T0qpvg

[MARIAH]

Good things to think about before they happen. An adventurous spirit is most useful!

After 16 years with MARIAH, she has taken us into rain many times.
Lesson...Box fan in the cockpit will dry out an FFR in 1-2 days.
Lesson...main casualty was the Light Switch which took far too many baths in the early years.
Lesson..drill holes (and rubber plugs) in the Driver and Passenger footboxes. Never had to use them, but I know those who have needed them.
Lesson....two rolled up towels beside our seats that we still have all these years later.
Lesson...lost distributor fire TWICE running through puddles (flashlight and WD40 can be of help).
Lesson....We have pulled over on Interstates several times because even the wipers could not make it safe to continue....Lesson Learned.... park IN FRONT of others (preferably a big truck) who are also parked...Don't be the last one in line and become a target!!
Lesson...Hardtops are useful but not waterproof.

[Jim1855]

I'll add to the lessons offered by MARIAH.

Tires. Most work well in the dry, only a few of the normal sizes work really well in the rain. I've found that Goodyear GS-D3s and Michelin PS2s have performed very well, I'm sure there are others.

Jim

[abdw-wcw]

Many, many times in the rain. Some downpours have lasted for hours on end. Some just a quick blast and then it stops. We (me and the car) always seem to dry out just fine when it's done.

Here is a pic from last summer driving to London Ohio. Although, the last several years driving to Ohio i could have sub'ed in this exact pic. (one of these years it will be dry everyday, right?)
Craig
119937

[Avalanche325]

I got in the rain where it was so heavy I was considering pulling over and just sitting there. There was another FFR right in front of me with the lights on and I was losing site of him. We limped into a town looking for cover and I got stopped behind another car. An 18 wheeler went by me in the next lane and it was like getting a dirty fire hose right in the face. I wet vacced about 4 gallons out of the floor when I got home.

Its all part of the Cobra adventure.....

[steno]

Been there... way too many times! Put a couple weeper holes in the footbox corners. Then shop vac and a couple little cans to dry it out... until next time!

[GWL]

I've been driving sports cars, as daily drivers, since the '60 and driving in the rain was never an adventure. I just don't understand it. For me a convertible top is mandatory.

George