Car a/c on playa

[feelfree]

I'll be driving my car out to the burn this year and was wondering what precautions I should be taking or what types of things I should avoid to make sure my car leaves in the best shape possible. I remember hearing something about the a/c getting messed up from taking in playa dust. What advice can you folks give me? Thanks in advance.

[mudpuppy000]

I didn't have any issue with it but I turned the A/C to recirculate mode as soon as I got off the pavement. I also didn't run it at all during the week, but I suppose you could if you kept it recirculating.

[Fire_Moose]

things I should avoid to make sure my car leaves in the best shape possible

Once you park pull out everything you will need. Close and lock you doors. don't open them again until you are packing up....

That was phrased wrong with the quote...avoid going into yer car at all.

[ConnieH]

My alternator had a freak out as we were in the exodus line, battery died and wouldn't restart with a jump - finally someone with mechanical experience asked if I had a hammer. He tapped the alternator a few times, which must have dislodged the dust, she started up and we were off. Not sure why this happened, maybe because my car sat all week, or maybe because I didn't cover the front grill with cardboard like I see others do and it got too much dust in the engine area (gonna do that this year and see if it makes a difference). Other than that, car ran fine (we don't use a/c off the pavement). My paint job was peeling a bit before my first trip to the playa, two years later it's gotten MUCH worse, so keep that in mind if you have some peeling paint on your car. I washed it good after we left, but I think the playa gets in there and keeps eating away at it. Whatever, it's an old car so I don't really care

[gyre]

Don't run ac on the playa at all.

I didn't turn it on again until I washed and vacuumed out the car in reno.

No problems with ac.
No dust apparent.
Some cars aren't as well shielded at the intakes though.

I tried to use painter's tape before the playa.
Couldn't get it to stick to anything.

[ygmir]

I think somewhere, you can buy car sized ziplock bags........

[Boijoy]

I think somewhere, you can buy car sized ziplock bags........

[Captain Goddammit]

You actually can get "car bags", huge bags that you drive into then seal up. They're meant for storage indoors but might work OK at BRC. The main issue with covering a car with anything is abrasion against the paint during windstorms.

[ygmir]

You actually can get "car bags", huge bags that you drive into then seal up. They're meant for storage indoors but might work OK at BRC. The main issue with covering a car with anything is abrasion against the paint during windstorms.

seeeeee........told ya..........

[EmilyD]

You actually can get "car bags", huge bags that you drive into then seal up. They're meant for storage indoors but might work OK at BRC. The main issue with covering a car with anything is abrasion against the paint during windstorms.

seeeeee........told ya..........

And unless you're trying to poach it like an egg. :-o

[skibear]

As stated, put the AC/vent system on recirculate when leaving the blacktop.

Better yet, arrive during cooler times (evening, night, or early morning) and
don't run the fan at all. Some ducts leak air in closed position.

On arrival, tape over the intake air dusts with blue painters tape, gaffers tape, or vinyl plastic tape (if you can reach them -check this out before
arrival on playa). DO NOT USE DUCT TAPE. Duct tape gets all slimy in
no time.

On departure stop in Gerlach long enough to remove the tape.

hth

[gyre]

Recirculate still pulls in dust that gets into the inside.
And all newer cars still pull in some outside air.

And if you can tell me how to get painter's tape to stick to a car, I'd be interested.
I couldn't.

[oneeyeddick]

Wipe the dust off of it first.

[gyre]

I tried to use it preplaya.

New tape.
Did I get a bad batch?

Maybe it won't stick to wax?

[ygmir]

I tried to use it preplaya.

New tape.
Did I get a bad batch?

Maybe it won't stick to wax?

ding, ding, ding.............depending on how good a wax (I know you use the best of everything), and, how fresh it is.......not much will stick.

[gyre]

Can't afford the best waxes, but not my car so I don't even know if it was waxed.
Did have a slick clearcoat.

I couldn't get the tape to stick to anything in the interior either.

[ygmir]

Can't afford the best waxes, but not my car so I don't even know if it was waxed.
Did have a slick clearcoat.

I couldn't get the tape to stick to anything in the interior either.

don't forget:

sticky side down...........

[Fire_Moose]

You gotta put the adhesive side DOWN

[oneeyeddick]

You didn't buy your tape at Harbour Freight, right?

3M is the only good brand.

[gyre]

3M from walmart.
Though some say 3M is lowering standards these days.

[gyre]

It stuck to the plastic I was trying to use just dandy.

[oneeyeddick]

well, the wax on your car is a problem, use rubbing compound on your finish to get it off and it will stick just fine.
your interior is covered in oils, if you used STP or armour all.
Sandpaper or bleach will remove that.
I have blue tape in hard to reach places on my RV that has been there for years.
The tape not the problem , the installer just needs more experience.

[gyre]

The interior didn't feel slippery at all.
Bleach?
Rubbing compound?

[Token]

I'm endlessly entertained by both newbs and veteran burners going through all sorts o bother, taping, sealing, covering...

At the end of the week, all your Playa covered gear, crusty stinking garbage bags, the grimy evap pond scum covered tarp, and you dusty ass are going into that pristine clean car.

I just find that funny.

[gyre]

I did protect the ac, but only by not using it.

Wanted to cover the cloth seats.

[oneeyeddick]

ditto, the only reason we cover the windows (with dollar store windshield shades and blue tape) is to keep it cooler.

I have given in to the dust over a decade ago.

used to have a blanket that we laid on the bed until we wanted to sleep on it back in the tenting years, but other than that...meh.

[kman]

Agreed, Token.

Rather than spend a bunch of money on various car-protection schemes that may or may not work, I just plan to put that same money towards having the car detailed when I return home.

Don't use the AC or Vents at all once you leave the paved road, unless you want to have to replace the internal duct filters (assuming you car has them... but if so, they tend to cost more than you'd think to replace). Detailing won't clean out the duct interiors, so if you keep the fans on and get them dusty inside, it's going to take a while to blow all the playa out of those ducts.

Use common sense about letting dust hit the inside of your car, but realize that nothing you can do will prevent dust from getting in, short of sealing you car in the back of a closed shipping truck.

[Fire_Moose]

ditto, the only reason we cover the windows (with dollar store windshield shades and blue tape) is to keep it cooler.

I have given in to the dust over a decade ago.

used to have a blanket that we laid on the bed until we wanted to sleep on it back in the tenting years, but other than that...meh.

It took you a decade? I gave in about an hour into d-lot...

[gyre]

it's going to take a while to blow all the playa out of those ducts.

a while =

[LostinReno]

I've come to terms with the dust. But I did consider this at one time??