# Does road salt corrode metal below freezing? **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Automotive\ **Created:** [December 23, 2008, 5:59pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-road-salt-corrode-metal-below-freezing/60208 "2008-12-23T17:59:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Shifty](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/shifty/32/4959_2.png) [@Shifty](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Shifty)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2008, 6:52am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-road-salt-corrode-metal-below-freezing/60208/21 "2008-12-24T06:52:03Z")
When the frozen water starts to melt, the the salt is already in solution when it melts on your car. If you really wanted to insure absolutly no corrosion then you should wash your car in your garage when the ice starts melting off of it (Every day). If you are worried that much dont drive it in the snow, weather condition would be far more worse than salt on your car. Or you could just deal with it like a non insane person. ---
**Author:** ![LAFENGAS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/lafengas/32/7573_2.png) [@LAFENGAS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/LAFENGAS)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2008, 7:03am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-road-salt-corrode-metal-below-freezing/60208/22 "2008-12-24T07:03:19Z")
define what temperature you’re considering “freezing”… ? are we all assuming you are talking about the 32°F for pure water? Or freezing the freezing temperature of your body panels which is aproximately 2350°F. Just for clarification…please let me know so this question can be accurately answered. ---
**Author:** ![neonglh](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/neonglh/32/4951_2.png) [@neonglh](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/neonglh)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2008, 7:14am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-road-salt-corrode-metal-below-freezing/60208/23 "2008-12-24T07:14:47Z")
They are probably referring to the freezing point of their body panels. ---
**Author:** ![Blue\_Eyed\_Devil](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/blue_eyed_devil/32/7292_2.png) [@Blue\_Eyed\_Devil](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Blue_Eyed_Devil)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2008, 7:15am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-road-salt-corrode-metal-below-freezing/60208/24 "2008-12-24T07:15:51Z")
Save your money. If you think washing your car removes the salt you are only kidding your self. You would have to submerge your car in a bath everyday to stop salt corrotion. If you remove 99% of the salt the last 1% will corrode just fine. ---
**Author:** ![yamba6](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/yamba6/32/5161_2.png) [@yamba6](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/yamba6)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2008, 7:28am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-road-salt-corrode-metal-below-freezing/60208/25 "2008-12-24T07:28:08Z")
> [@Geoff](#): > > Yambag, what is that slang for? ma **li** bu? lol you know it!:hitit: ---
**Author:** ![TurboTSi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/22d042/32.png) [@TurboTSi](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/TurboTSi)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2008, 7:54am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-road-salt-corrode-metal-below-freezing/60208/26 "2008-12-24T07:54:21Z")
I guess I should have clarified, it was more of curiousity rather than “what should I do?” As I stated, I normally wash it once a week. But watching cars drive around on dry sub freezing days (where the roads are pure white) got me thinking how salt oxidizes metal and what catalysts, if any, are needed (ie. water). ---
**Author:** ![yamba6](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/yamba6/32/5161_2.png) [@yamba6](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/yamba6)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2008, 8:04am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-road-salt-corrode-metal-below-freezing/60208/27 "2008-12-24T08:04:53Z")
humidity should be enough to start the corrosion ---
**Author:** ![Firehawk853](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/firehawk853/32/7607_2.png) [@Firehawk853](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Firehawk853)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2008, 8:11am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-road-salt-corrode-metal-below-freezing/60208/28 "2008-12-24T08:11:22Z")
![http://www.counteractrust.com/images/AUTOHAND.gif](http://www.counteractrust.com/images/AUTOHAND.gif) ---
**Author:** ![Shifty](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/shifty/32/4959_2.png) [@Shifty](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Shifty)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2008, 8:49am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-road-salt-corrode-metal-below-freezing/60208/29 "2008-12-24T08:49:10Z")
Chuck I was thinking the same: ![http://www.carparts.com/wcsstore/carparts/images/imagecache/G_10770G_CL_1.jpg](http://www.carparts.com/wcsstore/carparts/images/imagecache/G_10770G_CL_1.jpg) :lol: ---
**Author:** ![nelstoys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/48db29/32.png) [@nelstoys](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/nelstoys)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2008, 8:57am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-road-salt-corrode-metal-below-freezing/60208/30 "2008-12-24T08:57:48Z")
Good old grease and oil works great. Want proof? 3rd winter in my tacoma here is the underside. ![http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k183/nelnova/Winterrides002-1.jpg](http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k183/nelnova/Winterrides002-1.jpg) ![http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k183/nelnova/Winterrides003.jpg](http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k183/nelnova/Winterrides003.jpg) ![http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k183/nelnova/Winterrides004-1.jpg](http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k183/nelnova/Winterrides004-1.jpg) And the 93 regal, owned since new, let me know if you ever see anymore in buffalo with no rust. ![http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k183/nelnova/Winterrides001-1.jpg](http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k183/nelnova/Winterrides001-1.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![nelstoys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/48db29/32.png) [@nelstoys](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/nelstoys)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2008, 9:34am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-road-salt-corrode-metal-below-freezing/60208/31 "2008-12-24T09:34:36Z")
> [@vt1992s10](#): > > is it better or worse to park your car/truck in a garage because of the higher temperatures causing more corrosion quicker? Yea i have seen it, my friend has an old buick he never drives in bad weather and parks his dodge in his garage every day, well the buick is all rusty underneath and in the engine compartement now because of it. To say the least the dodge does not get the garage anymore. ---
**Author:** ![deebo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/deebo/32/5218_2.png) [@deebo](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/deebo)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2008, 10:09am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-road-salt-corrode-metal-below-freezing/60208/32 "2008-12-24T10:09:13Z")
im replacing all the panels/bumpers/hood/hatch on my car and repainting so i dont even care what happens to my car 😛 i havent washed it since i bought it in september lol ---
**Author:** ![RedGoober4Life](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/redgoober4life/32/7610_2.png) [@RedGoober4Life](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/RedGoober4Life)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2008, 10:39am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-road-salt-corrode-metal-below-freezing/60208/33 "2008-12-24T10:39:09Z")
High pressure washes actually drive water into seams, which is where corrosion will begin. Keeping the seams well-waxed is a good bet. Hoseless washing in a garage (Optimum No Rinse) is great for winter. You can wash your car and door jambs (or other areas where there are seams), then use wax or spray wax to help prevent rust. ---
**Author:** ![RedGoober4Life](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/redgoober4life/32/7610_2.png) [@RedGoober4Life](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/RedGoober4Life)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2008, 10:57am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-road-salt-corrode-metal-below-freezing/60208/34 "2008-12-24T10:57:10Z")
> [@TurboTSi](#): > > I guess I should have clarified, it was more of curiousity rather than “what should I do?” As I stated, I normally wash it once a week. But watching cars drive around on dry sub freezing days (where the roads are pure white) got me thinking how salt oxidizes metal and what catalysts, if any, are needed (ie. water). Water is not a catalyst in an oxidation-reduction reaction, as it is consumed by the reaction The resulting hydroxide ions (via the protonation of a water molecule) form metal hydroxides. In this case, Iron (II) hydroxide. ---
**Author:** ![khoveraki](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/khoveraki/32/5131_2.png) [@khoveraki](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/khoveraki)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2008, 3:01pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-road-salt-corrode-metal-below-freezing/60208/35 "2008-12-24T15:01:39Z")
> [@Blue Eyed Devil](#): > > Save your money. If you think washing your car removes the salt you are only kidding your self. You would have to submerge your car in a bath everyday to stop salt corrotion. If you remove 99% of the salt the last 1% will corrode just fine. worst reasoning ever +1 for oil, it works and it’s simple. Also I know someone with an FC that he’s driven in winter for five or six years, he just hoses it off/cleans it about once a week or when it gets bad. tlc\> corrosion ---
**Author:** ![Jim1234664](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jim1234664/32/7438_2.png) [@Jim1234664](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Jim1234664)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2008, 8:55pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-road-salt-corrode-metal-below-freezing/60208/36 "2008-12-24T20:55:08Z")
> [@nelstoys](#): > > Good old grease and oil works great. dont forget the pinstripes ---
**Author:** ![Toda\_Party](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/toda_party/32/7354_2.png) [@Toda\_Party](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Toda_Party)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2008, 10:41pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-road-salt-corrode-metal-below-freezing/60208/37 "2008-12-24T22:41:44Z")
lol @ this pic, that’s hardcore just standing in that shitty weather to take the pic ![http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k183/nelnova/Winterrides004-1.jpg](http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k183/nelnova/Winterrides004-1.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![nelstoys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/48db29/32.png) [@nelstoys](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/nelstoys)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2008, 11:09pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-road-salt-corrode-metal-below-freezing/60208/38 "2008-12-24T23:09:57Z")
> [@Toda Party](#): > > lol @ this pic, that’s hardcore just standing in that shitty weather to take the pic > > ![http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k183/nelnova/Winterrides004-1.jpg](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/3X/9/0/90d9b80a17746fa13bef01e6d6f19f7e7b8528ce.jpeg) Its awsome though, just got home from grand island and its literaly still clean, the salt and dirt slide right off my oil coverd pinstriped beast!. ---
**Author:** ![TurboTSi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/22d042/32.png) [@TurboTSi](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/TurboTSi)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2008, 6:09am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-road-salt-corrode-metal-below-freezing/60208/39 "2008-12-25T06:09:59Z")
^ do you apply the undercoating yourself or take it somewhere? ---
**Author:** ![nelstoys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/48db29/32.png) [@nelstoys](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/nelstoys)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2008, 6:24am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-road-salt-corrode-metal-below-freezing/60208/40 "2008-12-25T06:24:09Z")
> [@TurboTSi](#): > > ^ do you apply the undercoating yourself or take it somewhere? I just brush axel grease on everything then once or twice a year spray wd40 or used motor oil on everything and inside my rockers, bed, and innder fenders. No rust anywhere. Not even on my 03 chevy. Look at the 93 regal, the underside is as nice as the top. [Previous page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-road-salt-corrode-metal-below-freezing/60208.md?page=1) [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-road-salt-corrode-metal-below-freezing/60208.md?page=3)