Salt!

[RodTungsten]

Drove through what looked like thick ground mist on the M40 - powdered grit stirred up by us all.

Washed the car down today and opened the bonnet to see piles of dry salt everywhere. Will leave it in the garage for now (hols) then vacuum/air line and wash, wash to remove it:

 

[mjheathcote]

Why mine and my Triumph Stag are sorned through winter.

 

[DLax69]

Why mine and my Triumph Stag are sorned through winter.

...because tomorrow isn't guaranteed.

 

[RodTungsten]

Well, the sun was shining and all was dry so we took the Spyder to Brum for a show. Did not expect the salt-storm! Came back the next day through the Cotswolds on A roads with the roof down which is what it’s made for. Deep clean is a small price to pay for wind in my thinning hair and moans from the Wee Woman (no hat).

 

[Scaf]

Well, the sun was shining and all was dry so we took the Spyder to Brum for a show. Did not expect the salt-storm! Came back the next day through the Cotswolds on A roads with the roof down which is what it’s made for. Deep clean is a small price to pay for wind in my thinning hair and moans from the Wee Woman (no hat).

well done you, I won’t take the Tiger out until rain has cleared the salt, the Strad is protected so if it’s dry I still use her.
In fact, just about to head to a mates for dinner and the country road is rather nice a night, lots of long bends - hopefully it stays above freezing else I may end up in a ditch later (the car, not me of course).

 

[Felonious Crud]

In fact, just about to head to a mates for dinner and the country road is rather nice a night, lots of long bends - hopefully it stays above freezing else I may end up in a ditch later (the car, not me of course).

You say 'of course' like it's obvious, Sam, but it patently isn't!

Mine's SORN'd and staying that way until the weather's not winter.

 

[keith]

I can understand the concern from road gritting as it increases the risk of stone chips, but any car for at least twenty to thirty years will suffer no long term effects from salt providing the car is given a thorough wash.

 

[DLax69]

 

[midlifecrisis]

I came down the M40 last Monday and it was like driving down a desert road in Australia. The salt was that thick on Lane 3. I was in the Suzuki and I hand back in June but still gave it a clean underneath.

 

[philw696]

Yeah it's fair enough cleaning the body but it's the chassis, suspension and all the underbody lines you need to get the salt off before it starts eating into everything.

 

[Wally]

Exactly!!!

 

[Nibby]

I can understand the concern from road gritting as it increases the risk of stone chips, but any car for at least twenty to thirty years will suffer no long term effects from salt providing the car is given a thorough wash.

The only thing is that there's every chance you won't get it all off and that's the last thing you need with something that's susceptible to rot like Maserati sub-frames. Also the potholes at the moment are getting worse by the hour and we do live in hope that by April the council might have made some attempt to fill them.

 

[jasst]

I can understand the concern from road gritting as it increases the risk of stone chips, but any car for at least twenty to thirty years will suffer no long term effects from salt providing the car is given a thorough wash.

That is complete rubbish, you will never get it all off, particularly underneath.

 

[mjheathcote]

The only thing is that there's every chance you won't get it all off and that's the last thing you need with something that's susceptible to rot like Maserati sub-frames. Also the potholes at the moment are getting worse by the hour and we do live in hope that by April the council might have made some attempt to fill them.

Agree.
The top road surfaces around here are getting really bad, the top half inch or so sheeting away.
It's actually getting quite uncomfortable to drive on.

 

[Nibby]

Agree.
The top road surfaces around here are getting really bad, the top half inch or so sheeting away.
It's actually getting quite uncomfortable to drive on.

My little runabout Ford is going in tomorrow to have steering issue fixed caused by hitting a pothole, I’m guessing being a Ford it will be a relatively cheap fix(fingers crossed), as we know damage to a Maserati suspension problem and it will cost a fortune.

 

[boomerang]

Salt and all those aluminium parts down there……disaster.
That is why my Masers don’t go out before spring.
But I can understand that not everyone is willing to do the same of course.

 

[Geo]

Also remember that salt is hygroscopic and will take in water from the atmosphere. That very fine salt dust gets into every nook and cranny and bits that you couldn’t hoover if you tried. I never take my toys out before the roads before the salt is all gone.

 

[keith]

That is complete rubbish, you will never get it all off,

As you clearly didn't understand my post, although it was in simple English!
If car manufacturers didn't prepare their vehicles for the everyday use in cold climates, they would by now be suffering crippling warranty claims for corrosion, and if as your nonsense reply suggests, any older vehicles outside of said warranty would have, long since vanished from our roads having rotted away, which is clearly not the case. Incidentally these older vehicles will, I'm sure for the most part, not enjoy extensive and thorough wash regimes, only adding to the salt build up on under frames etc.
With respect, the expression 'put brain into gear before engaging mouth' might be a good idea moving forward with any further replies.

 

[jasst]

I find your reply extremely condescending, and I suggest you read your statement again 'but any car for at least twenty to thirty years will suffer no long term effects from salt providing the car is given a thorough wash' What about the rust issues on QP and GT subframes? as an example, I doubt whether said cars that have lived in Japan where they do not use salt suffer from the same problem? Anyway I will not comment further as I have no wish to be dragged into a slanging match with someone so obviously of far superior intellect to me.

 

[keith]

I find your reply extremely condescending, and I suggest you read your statement again 'but any car for at least twenty to thirty years will suffer no long term effects from salt providing the car is given a thorough wash' What about the rust issues on QP and GT subframes? as an example, I doubt whether said cars that have lived in Japan where they do not use salt suffer from the same problem? Anyway I will not comment further as I have no wish to be dragged into a slanging match with someone so obviously of far superior intellect to me.

This is what I was taking about in the last sentence of my response. My original point said 'vehicles' meaning cars in general in the last twenty or thirty years. Maserati and in particular QP and GT whilst without checking probably make up a lot less than 1% of what is on the road. Therefore apart from a few shoddy manufacturers the overwhelming, as in 99% will have sufficient corrosion protection.
BTW I found your initial reply extremely rude and ill conceived, hence my response! Finally if you have personal concerns over your intellect I'm not sure a car forum is the best place to raise it.