First Start / Snake Bite - PSA

[NA5KAR]

I have no doubt that I'm not the first to post this, but I want to help my Newbie build brothers out there. In all of the excitement about my First Start the other day, I did not remember that the side pipes get insane hot. Getting out of the car, I threw my leg over the door frame and it landed on the pipe. You know the rest. Oval patch of intense pain. My neighbor said, "go put some toothpaste on it". I ran to the bathroom, where I found the bottle of Aloe that I bought last year to make hand sanitizer when all the stores were out of it. I squirted some of it on my wound and the pain literally went away. The redness left as well. I re-applied the Aloe every few hours. Today, three days later, it is a bit red and a couple of small scabs, but no pain. I'll take it.

So, my advice is this; no matter where you are in your build, buy a bottle of Aloe today, and keep it in the garage. You may never need it, but if you do, you'll know right where it is. Have an awesome day everyone.
152054

[RJD]

Welcome to the club.

152055

[NA5KAR]

Welcome to the club.

152055

Right there with you brother

[RJD]

Right there with you brother

Wear it with pride.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Here’s a different kind of snakebite PSA...let’s call it a “serpent bite”. A couple of weeks ago I was loading a customer go kart into my black Serpent Express trailer on a sunny 90 degree day and somehow laid my forearm against the hot vinyl:

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=152056&d=1628876717

Ouch!

Jeff

[FLPBFoot]

When I visited FFR I asked "how do you get in and out of the Roadster and reduce your risk of Snake Bite"? They showed me what they recommend. Open the door, grab the steering wheel with your left hand and the roll bar with your right. Step in with your left foot and then stand and bring in your right foot twisting towards the front of the car then sitting down on the top of the seat. Slide down and into position. Basically repeat in reverse on the way out. Slide up to the top of the seat, step backwards out first with your right foot and then out with the left. It feels very awkward at first but practice it and it becomes very natural. You really don't come anywhere near the pipes with this method.

For the passenger I installed an "oh sh$t" handle below the glove box and my wife uses it since there is no steering wheel for her to grab. Yes I do have twin roll bars. First reaction is to grab the windshield - DO NOT! Bad results can happen.

[JohnK]

Thanks for the reminder! I have a couple of heat shields for the side pipes but I was going to hold off on installing them until final assembly. I recall someone using welding blankets as shop protection a while back. I'm tempted to pick up a couple of these small, soft felt (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08BJ2LQTD?pf_rd_r=8H6ZH75R9HSMP736N6MW&pf_rd_p=8fe9b1d0-f378-4356-8bb8-cada7525eadd&pd_rd_r=647d06f6-7e7f-4422-bb3c-7a422c94850e&pd_rd_w=G65EZ&pd_rd_wg=69Ekm&ref_=pd_gw_unk&th=1)welding blankets (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08BJ44C19?pf_rd_r=8H6ZH75R9HSMP736N6MW&pf_rd_p=8fe9b1d0-f378-4356-8bb8-cada7525eadd&pd_rd_r=647d06f6-7e7f-4422-bb3c-7a422c94850e&pd_rd_w=G65EZ&pd_rd_wg=69Ekm&ref_=pd_gw_unk) (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08BJ2LQTD?pf_rd_r=8H6ZH75R9HSMP736N6MW&pf_rd_p=8fe9b1d0-f378-4356-8bb8-cada7525eadd&pd_rd_r=647d06f6-7e7f-4422-bb3c-7a422c94850e&pd_rd_w=G65EZ&pd_rd_wg=69Ekm&ref_=pd_gw_unk&th=1)to throw over the pipes when working on the car.

[NA5KAR]

Here’s a different kind of snakebite PSA...let’s call it a “serpent bite”. A couple of weeks ago I was loading a customer go kart into my black Serpent Express trailer on a sunny 90 degree day and somehow laid my forearm against the hot vinyl:

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=152056&d=1628876717

Ouch!

Jeff

That looks painful. Another cause of possible burns I had not thought of. Maybe need Aloe in the trunk at all times.

[NA5KAR]

When I visited FFR I asked "how do you get in and out of the Roadster and reduce your risk of Snake Bite"? They showed me what they recommend. Open the door, grab the steering wheel with your left hand and the roll bar with your right. Step in with your left foot and then stand and bring in your right foot twisting towards the front of the car then sitting down on the top of the seat. Slide down and into position. Basically repeat in reverse on the way out. Slide up to the top of the seat, step backwards out first with your right foot and then out with the left. It feels very awkward at first but practice it and it becomes very natural. You really don't come anywhere near the pipes with this method.

For the passenger I installed an "oh sh$t" handle below the glove box and my wife uses it since there is no steering wheel for her to grab. Yes I do have twin roll bars. First reaction is to grab the windshield - DO NOT! Bad results can happen.

Great advice. I also visited FFR and Tony let me sit in the black Cobra. He gave me the same instructions for entry and exit. I'm kind of OCD, so I'll be staring at the windshield as people enter or exit the car ready to slap a hand away (metaphorically).

[egchewy79]

Here’s a different kind of snakebite PSA...let’s call it a “serpent bite”. A couple of weeks ago I was loading a customer go kart into my black Serpent Express trailer on a sunny 90 degree day and somehow laid my forearm against the hot vinyl:

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=152056&d=1628876717

Ouch!

Jeff

this reminds me of getting into the vinyl bench seat of my parent's 1979 oldsmobile station wagon. The maroon leather would be so hot in the summer that it would singe your skin if you were wearing shorts. Not to mention the metal seat belt buckles. I'm surprised that it would leave a mark like that though.

[CaptB]

Snake bites abound!

[RJD]

Snake bites abound!

Yes, and the pain will actually start in the coming days ahead when the wound scabs over. Then, whenever you move your leg after it was in a resting position for a prolonged period, like first thing in the morning, the scab will break apart as your ankle flexes and your skin stretches to accommodate. I found Neosporin Burn Relief helped, as did the aloe.

I put these sidepipe shields on the next day.

152058

[jts359]

I got bit once , There are now heat shields on the car ! I felt like it got electrocuted , Ed

[rich grsc]

When I visited FFR I asked "how do you get in and out of the Roadster and reduce your risk of Snake Bite"? They showed me what they recommend. Open the door, grab the steering wheel with your left hand and the roll bar with your right. Step in with your left foot and then stand and bring in your right foot twisting towards the front of the car then sitting down on the top of the seat. Slide down and into position. Basically repeat in reverse on the way out. Slide up to the top of the seat, step backwards out first with your right foot and then out with the left. It feels very awkward at first but practice it and it becomes very natural. You really don't come anywhere near the pipes with this method.

For the passenger I installed an "oh sh$t" handle below the glove box and my wife uses it since there is no steering wheel for her to grab. Yes I do have twin roll bars. First reaction is to grab the windshield - DO NOT! Bad results can happen.

Yep, have been using that method for years. I demonstrate how to enter and exit to all new riders. Basically you step into the car and sit down and stand up in the seat to get out of the car.

[Rdone585]

If you haven't been bitten then you probably don't ride enough :rolleyes:. I've found something better than aloe, it's Elmer's glue. It sounds strange but it works so well on all types of burns. Just apply liberally and let it dry, it's instant relief. Best to clean before applying if it's a really bad burn. Apply more later if it starts to annoy you again. Leave it for as long as you can. It will come off easily after wetting, so don't try to pull it off dry it will take hair with it. Try it, you won't regret it.

[GTBradley]

Three times bitten, but the one that hurt the most was on my neighbor’s calf. I applied Drummer Mike’s treatment and all is good.

[cob427sc]

Several bites later, worst was front of my shin when I leaned over to unlock the hood and my foot slipped. Took almost 5 months to fully heal as there's little meat and skin over that bone!

[wareaglescott]

First start snake bite! That is impressive work. Took my almost two years to get complacent and make it happen. haha
The key is to ensure your wife never gets one so she doesnt swear off the car!

[David Hodgkins]

When my kids were little I made them leave the door closed and go up and over it to get out. Added bonus, they looked extra cool climbing out of the car on the occasional school drop-off days.

When I'm at shows and folks are taking pics I always teach them the proper technique to climb in and out of a Cobra.

:)

[NA5KAR]

First start snake bite! That is impressive work. Took my almost two years to get complacent and make it happen. haha
The key is to ensure your wife never gets one so she doesnt swear off the car!

In my First Start video, I cut out the part where I got the bite. Kind of embarrassing. Yes, I will 'always' triple check that she never gets bitten. I like living indoors.

[NA5KAR]

When my kids were little I made them leave the door closed and go up and over it to get out. Added bonus, they looked extra cool climbing out of the car on the occasional school drop-off days.

When I'm at shows and folks are taking pics I always teach them the proper technique to climb in and out of a Cobra.

:)

Cool story David. I got an entry and exit lesson from Tony Zullo during one visit to FFR. Too bad I didn't apply it. Never again though.

[AC Bill]

Generally, you only do it once.

[WCPaynter]

Thanks for the good advice and looking forward to the Badge of Honor!!!

[john42]

One advantage of the Challenge car is the doors don't open. Makes you stand up inside the car and use the roll bar to get out. You naturally step out more. Hopefully, I avoid the snake bites in the long term.