How to Neutralize and Remove Road Salt to Prevent Rust

For states that see regular snowfall each winter, road salt is the preferred treatment to keep roadways safe and clear. Whether it’s old school rock salt or the popular modern application of a sprayed brine solution, salt is simply effective. Regardless of how it’s applied, however, salt is a killer cars and truck, accelerating rust on bodywork and critical components.

The best way to prevent road salt damage is to remove it with regular washings throughout the winter. But you can also enhance your cleaning routine by applying a road salt neutralizer first. This step reduces salt’s corrosive effects before it’s rinsed and in places where event the rinse water might collect.

To effectively prevent corrosion when rinsing road salt residue off your vehicle, focus on areas where salt tends to accumulate. These include the chassis, undercarriage, wheel wells, and bodywork. Here is a more detailed look at how and what to rinse to keep rust at bay.

How to Neutralize and Clean

The key to neutralizing road salt is applying a road salt neutralizer in the right place. The best way to do this is by selectively spraying neutralizer where it is most effective. A common garden sprayer with a wand allows you to get into vehicle opening and to spray upside down. Simply fill your sprayer with road salt neutralizer, pressurize the tank and you’re ready to go.

Apply neutralizer to all the critical areas (see below), allowing it to penetrate and dissolve into the surface. Reapply if necessary to ensure you have full coverage.

To rinse, spray with a high-pressure wand. If you don’t have a power washer, use a do-it-yourself car wash on the ‘rinse’ setting. In fact, you can pre-treat critical areas with neutralizer before washing the entire car. You can do the same at an automatic car wash that has an underside wash cycle, pre-treating with neutralizer before entering the tunnel.

Where to Clean

• Underside – The underbody of your car is particularly vulnerable to salt accumulation. This includes components like the exhaust system, suspension components, subframe, fuel lines, and brake system.
• Wheel wells – Most vehicles today have plastic fender liners, but salt can build up where these meet the bodywork, leading to corrosion. Thoroughly neutralize and rinse these areas to prevent salt from accumulating here.
• Bumpers – Metal bumpers are less common than they used to be but are still found on most pickup trucks and utility vehicles. The backsides of these bumpers are often less protected than the finished outside surfaces. It’s not uncommon for steel bumpers to rust from the inside out. The front-facing rear bumpers are particularly prone to collecting and holding road debris including salt. Pay attention to these areas during cleaning and fully rinse any slush, silt, or other road debris that has accumulated.
• Door sills and frames – Salt can accumulate around door sills and frames, leading to rust. Neutralize and rinse road spray in these areas thoroughly.

By focusing on these areas during cleaning, you can significantly reduce the risk of corrosion and extend the lifespan of your vehicle.