How To Get Salt Off Your Vehicle Before Damage & Rust Sets In

After driving in the winter conditions, you probably have salt under and on your vehicle. That salt on your vehicle can cause rust damage. Here tips to avoid rust on your vehicle, and to keep you vehicle in top condition:

1. Wash the exterior of your vehicle, using a power washer makes this easy. Spray between the cracks and crevices, in the wheel wells, and the vehicle’s undercarriage. After spraying thoroughly, wash the car with hot soapy water and then rise the soap off. This should be done periodically during the winter season, and one good wash when the winter season ends.
2. Once the winter season comes to an end, you can use matching touch-up paint to repair any chips or scratches if necessary. A body shop can help with this process.
3. Clean the engine compartment after covering all electric components with plastic. A power wash works great for this process.
4. Apply a coat of wax, a type of wax that contains a mild abrasive that will remove the film left by salt or other substance. This can be done periodically also.
5. Check tires for cuts and abrasions. Replace tires if necessary.
6. Lube all suspension fittings. Lube hood hinges, locks, and latches. Check your owner’s manual for lubricant recommendations.
7. Examine your brakes to make sure there’s plenty of material on brake pads and shoes. Look for components that are rusted or stuck due to salt corrosion.
8. Check your windshield wiper blades, since snow and ice are hard on them.

Other Tips
1. Don’t touch a vehicle with a wash mitt or a brush until you’ve used a hose to remove the visible dirt.
2. If a vehicle has wheel covers, remove them before washing to make it easier to clean the wheels and the back side of covers.
3. If you use Rain-X or a similar product on your windshield, apply a fresh coat when you’re finished.
4. A “touchless” type of car wash, is good alternative if you don’t have the place or equipment to wash your vehicle by hand. Be sure the car wash can wash your undercarriage and wheels, since where most of the salt built occurs.