Winter roads may be safer thanks to de-icing solutions, but they pose a hidden danger to your vehicle: corrosion! MODOT and other agencies use a combination of salt brine, beet juice, and calcium chloride to melt ice and snow, ensuring safer travel. However, while these mixtures improve road conditions, they can wreak havoc on your car’s paint, undercarriage, and mechanical components. Fortunately, de-salt neutralizer is a game-changer in protecting your vehicle from long-term damage.

What’s in Road Salt & De-Icing Mixtures?

MODOT primarily uses an 80% salt brine and 20% beet juice mixture for road treatment. Here’s how it works:

• Salt Brine (Sodium Chloride): Works well above 25°F but loses effectiveness in extreme cold.
• Beet Juice: A byproduct of sugar production, beet juice helps salt brine work at lower temperatures (between 5°F and 25°F) and reduces salt’s corrosive properties.
• Calcium Chloride: Added when temperatures drop below 5°F, calcium chloride enhances melting power.
• Magnesium Chloride: Used in some areas, it absorbs moisture to prevent freezing but is highly corrosive to vehicles.

While these treatments are effective at keeping roads clear, they can leave behind stubborn, corrosive residues on your vehicle.

How Road Salt & De-Icers Damage Your Vehicle

Prolonged exposure to road salts and de-icers can cause:

• Corrosion: Salt and chloride-based de-icers accelerate rust on metal components, including brake lines and fuel tanks.
• Electrical Failures: Magnesium chloride, in particular, can deteriorate wiring, causing system failures.
• Paint Damage: Salt residue can dull your vehicle’s paint, and any exposed metal from scratches or chips is at high risk of corrosion.

How De-Salt Neutralizer Protects Your Vehicle

Washing your car regularly is essential in winter, but ordinary soaps aren’t enough to remove the corrosive salt residue. De-salt neutralizer is specially formulated to break down and neutralize salt, brine, and other ice-melting chemicals. Here’s how it works:

1. Neutralizes Salt & Brine: Unlike standard car wash soap, de-salt neutralizer chemically breaks down salt’s bond with your vehicle’s surface.
2. Prevents Rust Formation: By removing the magnetized salt residue, it stops the rusting process before it starts.
3. Safe for All Vehicles: Works effectively on personal cars, fleet vehicles, and even public works trucks and salt spreaders.
4. Enhances the Effectiveness of Protective Coatings: Allows waxes and ceramic coatings to last longer by removing corrosive contaminants.

At Pro Carwash, before the winter weather hits, we add a de-salt neutralizing chemical to our Ultimate and Ceramic Automatic Washes to help combat the corrosive effects of winter weather, road salt and grime.

Winter Vehicle Protection Tips

To minimize damage from road salt and de-icers, follow these best practices:

• Wash Your Car Frequently: After snowstorms or when temperatures rise above freezing, wash your vehicle - especially the undercarriage - to remove salt buildup.
• Use a De-Salt Neutralizer: Choose a car wash that includes a salt neutralizer treatment to fully remove corrosive residues.
• Apply Protective Coatings: Wax, sealants, or ceramic coatings create a barrier against salt and road grime.
• Inspect for Early Signs of Rust: Address paint chips and minor rust spots before they spread.

Don’t Let Road Salt Win—Protect Your Car Today!

Winter road treatments are essential for safety, but they don’t have to ruin your car. Regular washes with a de-salt neutralizer, combined with protective coatings, can keep your vehicle looking great and running strong all season long. Next time you visit Pro Carwash, choose a wash with de-salt neutralizer - your vehicle will thank you!