Wheel Detailing
Applicable Years: C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6
Difficulty Level: 1
Tools: electric or cordless drill, PowerBall and/or Mini PowerBall, metal polish
Time: 1 hour (4 wheels)
Parts source: Corvette Central
Here's an easy weekend project with results you'll be able to see immediately. The PowerBall and Mini Powerball, along with a bottle of Mothers PowerMetal polish from Corvette Central, are just the ticket to clean those dirty wheels. The PowerBall is a soft, spongy appliance you insert in the chuck of your drill (AC or cordless) to polish your Corvette using either liquid or paste polish. The Mini Powerball is specially designed for wheels, and it comes with a nice 12-inch extension shaft so you can get in between the spokes to do a spiffy job. While the Mini Powerball is made for wheels, it also does a great job on wheel covers, trim rings, and center caps if your Corvette happens to be equipped with these.
The PowerBall (in the drill)...
The PowerBall (in the drill) and the Mini PowerBall (foreground) are great time- and work-savers when it comes to cleaning and polishing your Corvette. The Mothers PowerMetal polish is great for cleaning and polishing wheels, trim rings, center caps, and full wheel covers.
The 12-inch extension shaft...
The 12-inch extension shaft makes getting between and behind the spokes easy.
Padded Glovebox/Center Console Cushion
Applicable Years: C5
Difficulty Level: 1
Tools: No.2 Phillips screwdriver, hair dryer
Time: 1 hour
Parts source: Corvette Central
When I first saw Corvette Central's padded-leather C5 glovebox/center console cushion with an embroidered C5 emblem, I decided that's just the look I wanted for my Corvette. While you won't need any special tools, a considerable amount of hand strength is required to stretch the cover to get it to fit properly, and a hair dryer will help to soften the material and make it a bit more pliable. Be sure to do this installation where it's at least 70 degrees-the colder the environment, the more you'll have to struggle to make things fit properly.
Remove the two Phillips screws...
Remove the two Phillips screws holding the latch (note the orientation of the latch) and remove it. Next, remove the five Philips screws that join the outer and inner halves of the glovebox lid together, then separate the two halves.
Slip the new glovebox cover...
Slip the new glovebox cover on the front end of the outer lid, and proceed to work it on from the front, sides, and rear. Be forewarned: this takes some doing as you have to stretch the material quite a bit; be sure the holes in the new cover are oriented in the correct position with the screw retainers in the lid. A hairdryer will soften the cover material somewhat and make it more pliable, which will help in stretching it to get it to fit. Once it is on completely, replace the inner lid, insert and tighten the five screws removed previously, and reattach the latch and tighten the two screws that retain it. Put the lid back in position in the car and fasten it to the hinge with the four screws you initially removed at the beginning of this project.
Here's the finished job. The...
Here's the finished job. The padded cover not only looks sharp with the C5 logo, it also makes leaning your arm on it quite a bit more comfortable.