Mainly curious when you should wash your car. I remember someone telling me the road salt on your car will not corrode the metal when below freezing mainly because it will be “dry” since all water will be frozen. Apparently this theory states that the salt was to mix with water to corrode? Now, I’m not a chemistry person, so I figured someone on here might have a good answer.
I always wash the car about once a week since I’m concerned about the finish as well.
So far, you are correct (with the equations on the internet I am finding), but I am almost positive on this one. Possibly the reason is because there is enough humidity in the air to allow the salt to corrode the metal faster than without the salt in just humid air.
if every single water molocule on your car is below the tempurature that SALT WATER freezes at, then no corrosion will take place
mind you, i said salt water, which has a lower freezing point then straight water, so your car might have to be as cold as -22* F for it to be frozen solid, and obviously if every inch of sheet metal on your car is -22*F, your probably not gonna be out driving, cause the wind chill on a day like that would turn you into n ice cube
cliffs: expecting your car to be cold enough for the salt water to freeze solid isnt the best plan, wash your car and be done with it
I’m not pretending to be a chem major, as well; but I like the idea of just keeping it clean once a week. I’ve always taken mine in for a squirt when it gets over freezing - but that doesn’t mean that corrosion can’t happen at the lower temps with the high concentration of salt-to-water.
Tell you what, I’m watching this one. I have two cars I’m trying to keep from road salt and both have been exposed.
On this topic. Does anyone know a place I can bring my car that will get the under body washed that wont make me want to cry cause I bottomed out pulling it onto the conveyor.
I took it to delta sonic to wash off the underside of y car and damn near cried when I heard my car hit something hard under my car.
also of note, if you wash your car and dont get ALL of the salt off, you HAVE most likely diluted the remaining salt concentrations, and the less salt there is in a given amount of water, the easier it is for that salt/water to freeze.
The old school “rock salt” is less effective at temp’s under 17 degree’s. Don’t know if it hold’s true for the new liquid stuff(sodium chloride, I think) some use, it’s more expensive.
man i miss working for northtown lexus. i had my car washed 2 times a week and paid nothing! lol. one i left that job, my car got rusty (maxima) now i got the mabu and well, that cars a pile as it is, soo… sometime soon ill wash it. lol