Salt and rust?

[Primenay]

Ok so I live in Indiana and it has been snowing constantly for over a month. I mean that whenever I get free time, it snows. I keep trying to take my Sonic LT Sedan in for a wash but I have not been able to since late November. I was wondering if the salt being put down will rust my car?? I am a little bit worried but on the same note I don't want to waste time and money washing it only for it to snow again a day later and get dirty again. Any thoughts?

Also, is the mikes underbody wash safe? I heard some people say you need to do it to properly get all of the salt off and others say it will spray water in places that will harm the vehicle?

Also, I now have 5500 miles on my sonic and still loving it!!!!!

 

[ahtoxa]

The short answer is yes, salt will cause rust. Absolutely.

Now, the chemical reaction is a product of temp and humidity. Warmer temps and higher humidity with the addition of salt will speed up that process. This is why leaving a salt-covered car in the carage is a bad idea, especially if the garage is heated.. The warmer temp in the garage will accelerate the chemical process.

Having said that, you can help your car. You don't need to go through a full car wash if you expect it to get covered in salt again. Simply take the car to a manual carwash where you can use a pressure washer. (Of course, if you don't expect too much wet, salty water on the road then do take you car through a full and thorough was as soon as possible.)

Back to topic:

At the car wash, pay specific attention to the following areas:

- wheel wells, where the body metal folds over liner. Salt can and will get trapped there.

- rocker panels (underneath)
- areas such as front mudflaps, where the salt can get trapped between the mudflap and the painted metal body.
- squat down and pressure rinse underneath the car very thoroughly.


Disregard the fact that I live in TX now. I've lived in Chicago for 15 years prior to that.

 

[Papasonic]

The more often you have an opportunity to remove the accumulated salt residue from your vehicle, the better. Modern vehicles have extensive corrosion resistance built in, but still will suffer deterioration without removing the contaminants. Whenever the weather gets above freezing, I will go to a local manual operated type car wash, and wash the exterior and underneath as well as possible. I sometimes wash my vehicle at lower temperatures, and bring it home to finish drying off in the garage; which I can temporarily heat with a kerosene fueled 55,000 BTU heater. I cannot believe that you have not had an opportunity to visit a car wash facility since November.

 

[$ub$onic]

I wash mine every 2 weeks.

I also spray a product called fluid film underneath it. It seems to work good. No issues yet that I have seen

 

[ahtoxa]

I also spray a product called fluid film underneath it. It seems to work good. No issues yet that I have seen

Both of my previous Jeeps used a self-applied liquid film. It was pretty awesome, as I didn't have to re-apply it and we all know Jeeps need extra rust protection. I never had to worry about rust on the undercarriage!

My product was called "Leaking Rear Main Seal". Worked great for applying a coat of oil to prevent rust.

 

[$ub$onic]

Lol our jeep has the " leaky value cover " stuff.

 

[ahtoxa]

My old XJ, which was the 'winter beater' at the time, used to piss from the RMS. Granted, it had 225k miles. Replacing was easy, though, as the rear main was a two-piece so all you do is drop the oil pan.

 

[qwed94]

funny about the jeeps. My Grand also has a built in rust inhibitor. "Leaky power steering pump" Yes it leaves a real nice coat of fluid everywhere.

 

[$ub$onic]

Leaky axle seals are nice to keep the brakes lubed

 

[ahtoxa]

Yep. Driver side let go pretty good on my TJ Rubicon once.

Nothing like lubed up brakes.

 

[Chrish051873]

I saw this thread and was like yep, time to hit the auto wash. I'll probably be froze out of it in the morning lol

 

[AdorableKaren]

Lol Chris I was just thinking
the same thing

 

[TheFallenAngel12]

I havent washed mine since the end of december because its been below freezing every damn day here since then. But oh boy once that weather breaks my car is getting wet and cleaned!

 

[Primenay]

Wow everyone thank you for the advice!!! I went ahead and took it through. I will wash it myself once it gets warm.

 

[Primenay]

I havent washed mine since the end of december because its been below freezing every damn day here since then. But oh boy once that weather breaks my car is getting wet and cleaned!

I am going to do the same!!! I live in Indiana and this weather just won't go away!!!