Good question. We’ve all heard that road salt used in winter is bad for the paint of your car’ but is it really?
What is Road Salt?
Road salt’ is utilized to lower the freezing temperature on the surface of the road, resulting in less ice on the road. What we usually use is a mix of salt and sand. The salt keep freezing temperatures low on the road, while the sand keep the salt in place and adds some traction.
So is Road Salt it Bad For My Car?
Salt is corrosive, which means that it, can eat into your paint over time. If it’s left unattended, over time, salt could lead to rust on your undercarriage and of course paint damage. You need to also know that warm temperatures and salt don’t go well together. Of course, salt is bad for your vehicle.
“If the fact is, a car coming in a warm garage and the ice on it starts to melt, you’ re at higher risk that salt is going to cause damage to your car. When oxygen and moisture come together with metal, rust forms and salt quickens that process because it corrosive.
The fact is, a car coming in and out of a warm environment isgood for the driver, it’s great on transmission, and motor as well, but on the body it is more difficult,” said Matt Feehan, President of American Auto Body in Brooklyn Park.
What’s the Solution?
Have Your Car Protected
Have your car protected- You vehicle’ must be paint-protected at the start of the winter months with a nice coat of sealant or wax. Going further and even better is to have a permanent coating installed. This will ensure that you have a layer of protection between your paint and the corrosive salt.
Wash Your Car Month –This is the minimum requirement; you should wash your vehicle when there’s salt on it. Make sure to avoid drive thru car washes that come with brushes because they scratch your paint. Also, you want to ensure that your undercarriage receives a good cleaning so the salt does not hide in there and results in rust eventually. We recommend you use touchless car washes, self-service car washes, or have an expert take care of the vehicle for you. Before you make contact with the vehicle, be sure to rinse the salt off, because the salt can scratch the paint if you’re attempting to wash a car with salt on it.
If you do these two simple steps, your car will be in much better condition overtime and you can combat the corrosion of salt that devalues your car if left unattended. Hope that helps! Let me know in the comments below, what have been your experiences with road salt?
Image courtesy of HinghamWeather
