[SpaceSilver.X1]

I went on a road trip earlier this week. roughly 1200 miles to the DC, NY and PA. my car did not actually experience snow because the snow had ended the day before I got to those areas. However, as the snow on the roads melted, the water and sale mixed together and my car got splashed with a lot of that liquid. When it dried up, my car was covered in white salty stuff.

my area never got any snow, so no salt or anything like that on the roads. It has been been getting a lot of HEAVY rain since yesterday. Rain is expected to last until Monday. I deliberately went out driving in the heavy rain because I figured it would wash off some of that salt. Is this a stupid idea? I don't really have time to give the car a good washing until Wednesday.

[Car-Addicted]

I generally don't wash until the roads are dry because the water on the road is a salt solution. I would compromise if the roads didn't dry out but in the area you and I are in that not likely. My ultimate protection for my M4CS is to leave it in the garage till spring.

[wb8164]

I think driving in the rain like you did would help rinse the salt from the undercarriage.

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by SpaceSilver.X1

I went on a road trip earlier this week. roughly 1200 miles to the DC, NY and PA. my car did not actually experience snow because the snow had ended the day before I got to those areas. However, as the snow on the roads melted, the water and sale mixed together and my car got splashed with a lot of that liquid. When it dried up, my car was covered in white salty stuff.

my area never got any snow, so no salt or anything like that on the roads. It has been been getting a lot of HEAVY rain since yesterday. Rain is expected to last until Monday. I deliberately went out driving in the heavy rain because I figured it would wash off some of that salt. Is this a stupid idea? I don't really have time to give the car a good washing until Wednesday.

Don’t get too stressed. Driving in the rain will wash some off, but salt is pretty sticky. Even if you wait a month for a really thorough cleaning it’s not really going to do any kind of meaningful harm to the painted surfaces or unpainted surfaces. You have some time.

Originally Posted by wb8164

I think driving in the rain like you did would help rinse the salt from the undercarriage.

Agreed. It will help to an extent.

[SpaceSilver.X1]

Originally Posted by Car-Addicted

I generally don't wash until the roads are dry because the water on the road is a salt solution. I would compromise if the roads didn't dry out but in the area you and I are in that not likely. My ultimate protection for my M4CS is to leave it in the garage till spring.

I have an uncle who does NOT drive when it rains because he wants his fancy Mercedes to be nice and dry inside his climate-controlled garage. If there's any hint of rain or snow, he takes uber or taxi.

[christianb5s4]

If it's dirty enough to where I feel the need to washing, I wash it. That much less grime to pile on top of what will end up getting onto the car despite incoming weather.

[Bc2005]

In my area I could get a decent brushless car wash for $10-12, and it will make the car look so much better than being covered with salt. Why would you make this a big decision when it’s only about $10 and requires no physical work on your part?

[Car-Addicted]

In salt country this is the way to go. It's not the top of the car I worry about.

[Autoaddict]

I recently used Bilt Hamber Touchless wash to remove salt and grime. The touchless foam did a great job with remove surface salt and a good amount grime. NOT all of it but a good amount. You definately need to do a contact wash but, it’s great for the winter time. Here’s a picture of the foam removing the surface contaminants. I posted more pics on another thread in this sub section.