Road salt, typically used in winter to prevent ice formation on roads is a mix of sodium chloride and other chemical additives . When you spread road salt on icy surfaces it lowers the freezing point of water turning snow and ice into slush and make the roads safer for vehicles.
As vehicles drive over salted roads, the friction from tires helps dissolve the salt into a brine, which prevents ice buildup. While this process is essential for safety, it introduces salt to your car’s exterior and undercarriage, where it can begin to cause damage.
In this guide, we’ll explore how road salt damages your car and some expert tips to prevent your car from salt damage.
How Salt Damages Your Car
1. Corrosion on Metal Components
Salt doesn’t directly cause rust, but it accelerates the process of rust formation.
It enables the chemical reaction between iron, water, and oxygen leading to the formation of iron oxide aka rust. This is particularly harmful to metal parts like your car’s undercarriage, suspension and break lines.
2. Impact on Paint and Exterior
Salt is abrasive and can chip away at your car’s protective paint layer. Once the paint is compromised, exposed metal becomes vulnerable to corrosion. Over time, this can lead to unsightly peeling, discoloration, and even structural damage.
3. Undercarriage and Vital Parts at Risk
Key components like exhaust systems, fuel tanks, and brake lines are located on the underside of your car, making them particularly susceptible to salt exposure. If left unchecked, salt can weaken these parts, compromising both safety and performance.
Signs of Salt Damage
While there are some common signs of salt damage like paint discoloration, there are other forms of salt damage that needs to be taken into account as soon as possible:
- Rust spots on the body, especially near the wheel wells and door edges.
- Discoloration or dulling of paint.
- Bubbling or peeling paint.
- Performance issues due to corroded brake lines or suspension components.
How Do I Prevent Salt Damage on My Car
Wash Your Car Regularly
Think washing your car in the cold is crazy? Not if you love your paint job!
- Use warm (not hot!) water whenever possible and find a car wash that offers undercarriage cleaning.
- Aim to wash your car after every snowstorm or drive on heavily salted roads.
Wax Your Car Before Winter
Applying a quality wax before the first snowfall adds a protective barrier to your car’s paint. This extra layer helps prevent salt from sticking to the surface, reducing the risk of damage.
Consider Undercoating
Out of sight, out of mind? Not this time.
- Invest in a professional undercoating treatment that provides long-term protection for the vulnerable metal parts underneath your car.
- This treatment is especially useful for vehicles in areas with harsh winters and heavy salt use.
Floor Mats & Interior Protection
Let’s not forget the inside, your shoes track in salty slush, and that can corrode metal surfaces inside your car’s cabin.
- Rubber floor mats trap moisture and salt, making cleanup easy.
- Give your interior a quick wipe-down to prevent that chalky residue from settling in.
Avoid Driving in Salt-Heavy Areas
If you’re tailgating the salt truck, you’re basically asking for a salty shower. Keep a safe distance and dodge the brunt of that salt spray. Your windshield, your paint, and your patience will thank you.
When to Call in the Pros
If you’ve ignored the salt situation for too long and now salt damage has gone beyond what regular cleaning can fix, it's time to call in the professional detailing service providers.
Professional detailers have got the tools and know-how to:
- Remove stubborn salt deposits from the tiniest nooks and crannies.
- Restore that glossy finish and apply protective coatings that go the extra mile.
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How Long Does it Take for Salt to Damage a Car?
Salt can start damaging your car almost immediately by accelerating the corrosion process, especially if it’s left on exposed metal parts.
While visible rust might take a few weeks to months to appear, the underlying damage begins as soon as salt contacts your car.
Regularly washing your vehicle, especially the undercarriage, after exposure to salted roads can prevent long-term issues and keep your car in good condition.
Is Salt Damage on Cars Permanent?
Salt damage can be preventable as well as repairable if caught in early stage. Small rust spots and chipped paint can often be treated but severe corrosion on vital components like brake lines or suspension parts may require costly repairs or replacements.
