Its been snowing in the new york area for ever and im worried all the salt is going to destroy my car.

Any advice about washing it and how bad is the damn salt anyway?

 

Most important thing is to keep the underside of the car clean. MINI does have a corrosion warranty that should keep you covered for quite a few years, but as they say, Rust Never Sleeps

Also depends on how long you plan on keeping the vehicle.

If you would like it to be in mint condition 20 years from now, then I would advice storing it in one of those nitrogen filled bubbles to keep all oxygen away from metal surfaces, and start the engine once every month or 2.

If you would like the vehicle to be a reliable daily driver for 10+ years, then I advise that you regularly pressure wash the underside of the vehicle (probably easiest if you have access to a hydraulic lift and a garage that does not mind the use of a pressure washer inside.

You can also have some coatings applied to the underbody that help eliminate rust.

If you plan on keeping the car less thatn 10 years, just go through one of those carwashes that sprays the underbody every once in a while and don't worry about it.

The body panels are treated for corrosion resistance, and if your vehicle turns into a pile of iron oxide before 10 years is up, I will personally come over and eat it.

Only thing you really need to do about it is make sure that the salt gets sprayed off once in a while.

 

I believe it is better to wait until you can wash it thouroughly. A quick car wash might make it look cleaner. But getting that salt wet without getting rid of it is not good. Wash as often as possible in the winter but wait tell it warms so you can do a good job. I also like to set a lawn sprinkler under my car in the spring and really let it rinse the salt off.
Peace

 

Lawn sprinkler under the car!!! What a great idea!!

 

salt & metal = bad
but i go to the power wash in the winter,
heated high pressure water for the undercarrige

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I use one of those self-service carwashes with the sprayer thing that you can direct, and I always try to get as much powerful spray under the car as possible. It's hard since the MINI rides so low.

I just had an idea! I think I will bring my Rhino ramps with me next time, and drive the car up on them before washing it. That way I should be able to really get to the undercarriage. Should help the roof drain off better, too.

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2003 Red/White Cooper - Brookline, MA

 

im really into those self service wash places myself, i think i do a good job washing mini but was concerned about the paint but i had also forgotton about the rust warranty which makes it a little better. I cant wait for summer!

 

Move to Florida...! lol

(wishing I could)

 

>>Move to Florida...! lol
>>
>>(wishing I could)
>>
>>
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Why do I think this is even worse than snow salt? ... I was telling someone this morning to go drive on the beach but salt water and the resulting salt spray is murder! and it requires even more diligence with the hose and bucket - spray throughly and often!

 

The move to Florida thing is not too far off. Most of the states in the south (I live in Alabama) use sand instead of salt. Where salt actually helps to melt the ice, the sand just help to give some traction. But sand can be just a bad. If you've ever watched a sandblaster at work, you'll know what I'm talking about. Salt is corrosive to any body part. Sand just wears away at the body parts. So choose the lesser of the two evils.

One good thing. We get so little icing down south that the sanding of roads only happens once of twice a winter.

 

>>Move to Florida...! lol
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>>(wishing I could)
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......or Hawaii!!

Salt is corrosive, regardless of road salt or salt water/air. I agree, a thorough under carriage wash is a must. Living by the beach (actually, surrounded by it ) the salt can turn your precious metal into a rust bucket.

I hope my future MINI can live through the rust protection warranty without any cancer

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MINIhune:'03 MC VR/VR,Sport Pak,Anthracite,Kaleido PB/SG,Leather steering, At the VPC

 

Well then, I'm double-screwed because I live on Cape Cod AND they use road salt here like there was no tomorrow! On misty days the salt from the water on the electric lines sparks and crackles. I've even seen the power lines on fire because of the ocean/beach salt!

 

Jeez, and I though Central PA was bad!

 

I mean "thought Central PA was bad! "