Salt Question

[tccox]

Well, we had a blizzard here in Charlotte this week with some areas receiving up to 3/4"-1" of snow. (Well, our version of a blizzard). Of course all locals overreacted but the state DOT also over reacted spraying salt 2 days before the storm hit. So basically we have 1/2" of salt topped by 3/4" of snow. My Crimson Red 128 is now a Crimson Pink 128. I really do not want to carry to a car wash but would like to know best way to get as much salt off vehicle as possible without scratching paint. Suggestions ?

[MightyMouseTech]

Seeing as I live in the municipality that has the highest salt use in the entire world, I think I can answer this (ugh). U spray it carwash with a pressure wand hose so you can get up inside the wheel wells and under the car. And when you think it is done, do it again. Lots and lots of water to get rid of it.

Blizzard? 1" of snow? Cute, we call that any day of the winter.

[tccox]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

Seeing as I live in the municipality that has the highest salt use in the entire world, I think I can answer this (ugh). U spray it carwash with a pressure wand hose so you can get up inside the wheel wells and under the car. And when you think it is done, do it again. Lots and lots of water to get rid of it.

Blizzard? 1" of snow? Cute, we call that any day of the winter.

I was being a wee bit sarcastic. It still amazes me after 61 years how this city reacts to a wee bit of snow. Schools were closed for 2 days over that 3/4" of snow

[MightyMouseTech]

I know, just having fun.

Up here in Canada, we are having a lot of fun as an entire country watching the south deal with the smallest amount of snow.

[bmw1racer]

Salt is pretty soluble in water, so hit the car with as much water as possible, top and bottom... Particularly bottom.

[PA135i]

yeah a spray wash is your best bet, but if it's too cold out I would not do anything until the temps get above freezing. Otherwise your window regs. might freeze..(as mine did) or your locks.

[Overpar56]

One snowfall and salt bath won't do too much to the car. Most new cars won't rust through like a 72 Chevy Camaro after a rainfall.

You'll be in the 60's soon enough. Give it a wash and wax.

[tccox]

Originally Posted by Overpar56

One snowfall and salt bath won't do too much to the car. Most new cars won't rust through like a 72 Chevy Camaro after a rainfall.

You'll be in the 60's soon enough. Give it a wash and wax.

Wow, good prediction. 9 deg f on Tuesday, 68 deg f and sunny today. Problem solved , a two bucket hand washing for my 128 today. Weird weather for sure.

[Qunadry]

Temperature got up to almost 50 F today after nearly 2 months of sub-freezing temperatures. I got to de-salinate my 135i and my wife's Buick Regal. Both look great, almost as good as in the summer. Meguiars Ultimate really makes the cars look good and really protects them.

[JB007]

That's for sure
At first, I thought the whole news story was a joke! Turns out it was not a joke.

We drive on highways at above 60mph with one inch of snow no problems, so, one inch of snow paralizing a whole City is beyond my understanding.

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

I know, just having fun.

Up here in Canada, we are having a lot of fun as an entire country watching the south deal with the smallest amount of snow.

[NorthernDancer]

Consider washing under the hood with LOW pressure water; the fenders and headlights. Then drive the car to dry everything out. Don't be afraid to carefully spray some WD40 around as its "water displacement"

[Qunadry]

Originally Posted by Qunadry

Temperature got up to almost 50 F today after nearly 2 months of sub-freezing temperatures. I got to de-salinate my 135i and my wife's Buick Regal. Both look great, almost as good as in the summer. Meguiars Ultimate really makes the cars look good and really protects them.

4" of snow Monday, 14" today. All my neighbors are blaming me saying I jinxed the weather by washing the cars. The 135i is in the garage and clean. My wife's car is another story.

[tccox]

And here we go again, except this time even more salt than before, they even salted the streets in my neighborhood. This time calling for 6-8" and in Charlotte that's major

[Iron Man]

Originally Posted by tccox

And here we go again, except this time even more salt than before, they even salted the streets in my neighborhood. This time calling for 6-8" and in Charlotte that's major

Yeah! Snow day! I needed the traction control just to get my car in the garage.

[PA135i]

yeah and thanks to all the extra salt and wild swings in the temps.. big holes are opening up everywhere. It's like driving on the moon in some areas here around philly.

My winter set will be staying on my car until the holes are plugged. I'm not damaging my summer wheels.

[Greg@DetailedImage]

I've found it best to run the car through one of those automatic TOUCHLESS washes as they usually have an undercarriage spray and then the arm moves all around the car with high pressure. After that I take it home for a rinseless wash in the garage, but the auto wash is always basically a must before doing the rinseless at home.

Oh and I'm in the same boat as MightyMouse here in Chicago... 3/4" is what falls in June .

Ivan @ DI

[BrokenVert]

Originally Posted by JB007

That's for sure
At first, I thought the whole news story was a joke! Turns out it was not a joke.

We drive on highways at above 60mph with one inch of snow no problems, so, one inch of snow paralizing a whole City is beyond my understanding.

Can I join in the fun? Syracuse (or anywhere the lake effect hits, I guess) really jades you to the ailing people complaining about an inch of snow. (We had at leats a meter on the ground in most places up until a warm break last week)



To OP - make sure you clean the bottom off really well, dont just do a normal hand wash. I go to a touchless place pretty often in winter with an undercarriage wash.