Another tip that was something I have never had issues with before but looks like a possible issue now is crud build up at the bottoms of the fender skirts. My car hardly ever sees rain anymore but if it ever did this build up could be a problem getting wet and retaining moisture. It was mostly sand like stuff built up but I'm sure there was enough dirt in there to hold moisture if it ever did get wet.
The other reason to do this is to make sure the mechanism isn't bound up. I don't remember the last time I had mine off, have not driven much the last several years. It really took some effort to get the latch to move, once it did move it moved easily so its not like its rusted solid. Don't want that to add to the adventure if I had a flat and had to do a roadside repair.
Whenever I wash my car, I always remove the Spats and hose out the insides, front and back to remove the road grime that gets in there.
Yes, I am not surprised at how much gravel and crap gets caught in there as the roads are dirty, and where I drive, the gravel roads like staying with me.
Bruce. >:D
Yes, even on cars never driven on wet roads it's surprising how much dirt accumulates in the skirt area.
I actually had to get the pressure washer out to get the stuff out of the main horizontal lip. I didn't run it on full power but the material was too hard to pick out with soft instruments or compressed air. Paint was still in good shape so it must have dried before it could do damage.
Like Bruce, I take mine off whenever I wash the car. Also easier to clean the white walls. About once a year I hose the wheel wells with hot water to flush road film etc from the bottom. I do that on a warm dry day so she drys well up under there.
I remove and wash the skirts on my DVC separately every time I wash it. The same goes for the Fleetwood.
Sometimes I pop the wheel covers off and thoroughly wash them and the wheels and every couple of years I remove the wheels and wash them inside and outside.
Wow looks like its just me that hasn't taken mine off in a long time.
My cars never see rain and rarely see a hose, but still get plenty of dirt, grit etc. in the skirts. It's no wonder so many out in the real world have rusty skirts. I pop them off at least once a year, usually during the spring detail and garage spa week to clean, and on the Eldo, to tighten/adjust the skirt trim if needed.
Im on it today.... :(