I don’t know about you, but I personally HATE seeing my car coated in road salt and grime. That’s why I decided to use a special presoak with salt buster additive in all of our Valley Car Wash locations to help wash away road salt from your vehicles finish.

Winter is in full swing in the Midwest, East and even places in the South, and while I’m thankful for the salt spread on the highways and roads, I know personally the damage it can cause.

Salt is corrosive, and after time, it can eat away the paint on your vehicle, lead to rusting problems on the frame, brake lines leaking, and even damage the undercarriage.

Our suggestion? Run your vehicles through your local car wash every 1-3 weeks, depending on the weather. In the winter months, it’s important to consider washing your car as routine maintenance and set a budget for it. Doing so will benefit your car aesthetically as well as protect its value.

Just remember: Salt is activated by heat, so the corrosive effects speed up when the weather is warmer. “Once spring comes around, it is imperative to give the undercarriage of your car a thorough wash,” said AccuWeather.com Senior Meteorologist Jim Andrews. “Salt sucks up the moisture in humid air, which could lead to even more problems once the weather heats up.”