salt fanatics

[retroman]

Hey Folks:

Here in the Smokies we don't get much snow but, even with a 10% chance the crews are out spreading the stuff around when just being cautious would seem to be the answer. I hope that our 2022 Bolt will last me for a decade or so unless the corrosive effects of salt spray from the road takes its toll on the body. I've covered all of the obvious places with Fluid Film and used their attachment for getting up into places but, .....does anybody recommend places to coat that seem to be particularly vulnerable to rusting? I know that our vehicles are too new to be showing severe signs of deterioration but.......any suggestions?

 

[garlock]

Hey Folks:

Here in the Smokies we don't get much snow but, even with a 10% chance the crews are out spreading the stuff around when just being cautious would seem to be the answer. I hope that our 2022 Bolt will last me for a decade or so unless the corrosive effects of salt spray from the road takes its toll on the body. I've covered all of the obvious places with Fluid Film and used their attachment for getting up into places but, .....does anybody recommend places to coat that seem to be particularly vulnerable to rusting? I know that our vehicles are too new to be showing severe signs of deterioration but.......any suggestions?

I don't know about that, but I just bought a 2020 bolt, I live in Minnesota & we have lots of salt on our roads, but I was wonder if I can use "under body wash" at the car wash?

 

[BobDoz]

I have a 2017 Bolt EV and also live in MN. Not much salt used yet this season near Winona, but I'm sure more will come soon. Looks like under-body wash is fine, but there are instructions about what to avoid spraying under the hood. Most of the body panels are Aluminum, but underneath I noticed the main frame braces going back to the bumper are steel with several holes drilled on the bottom. One large hole had what looked like the start of rust at its edges, so I wire-brushed all of the holes and sprayed rust-converting paint over all of them. I didn't want to close the holes because I amagine they exist to allow air circulation/drying. There's little chance of road spray if the plastic wheel well shields are intact, but our Michelin CrossClimate 2 "tractor tires", while offering greater traction, probably throw more spray around than other models.

 

[garlock]

I have a 2017 Bolt EV and also live in MN. Not much salt used yet this season near Winona, but I'm sure more will come soon. Looks like under-body wash is fine, but there are instructions about what to avoid spraying under the hood. Most of the body panels are Aluminum, but underneath I noticed the main frame braces going back to the bumper are steel with several holes drilled on the bottom. One large hole had what looked like the start of rust at its edges, so I wire-brushed all of the holes and sprayed rust-converting paint over all of them. I didn't want to close the holes because I amagine they exist to allow air circulation/drying. There's little chance of road spray if the plastic wheel well shields are intact, but our Michelin CrossClimate 2 "tractor tires", while offering greater traction, probably throw more spray around than other models.

So Bob have you used a automatic car wash with under body wash? I want to be sure I can use the under body wash with out causing problems, I figured it would be ok, other wise we couldn't drive in heavy rain!

 

[BobDoz]

So Bob have you used a automatic car wash with under body wash? I want to be sure I can use the under body wash with out causing problems, I figured it would be ok, other wise we couldn't drive in heavy rain!

I have never used an automated car wash. I just use their do-it-yourself pressure washer to focus on wheel wells and other frequent rustable areas where road salt and dirt might accumulate. Have you ever jacked the car up and looked underneath? It's mostly a well-sealed battery box, front shield under the electronics, and wheel wells. Somebody who uses the car washh more fully will have to chime in.

 

[Jon GrosJean]

I wash underneath all my winter cars whenever it is above freezing here in Southern NH. My last Subaru lasted 16 years. I made up a sprayer with an angled fan shaped nozzle so I can reach underneath.

 

[chuck3565]

I have never used an automated car wash. I just use their do-it-yourself pressure washer to focus on wheel wells and other frequent rustable areas where road salt and dirt might accumulate. Have you ever jacked the car up and looked underneath? It's mostly a well-sealed battery box, front shield under the electronics, and wheel wells. Somebody who uses the car washh more fully will have to chime in.

I use an undercarriage car wash in Southern Minnesota in winter and summer. It hasn't caused any issues.