how corrosive is the road salt? we've been getting slammed here in baltimore with all kinds of crap (snow, sleet, freezing rain, etc). i don't really want to take my car to a car wash because they've been known to scratch the ever-loving-shit out of your clear coat.

I have a "touch free" car wash not too far from where I live, and I run it through every once in a while just to knock the salt off.

I would imagine painted surfaces are pretty safe - where I worry is the undercarrage. Nothing you can do about that really - esp. on days like today when that's all they are doing is putting down salt and sand.

I wash off the undercarrage really good when it looks like they won't be salting any more, but even that first rain post-winter will bring up left over salt, so I don't know if there is much you can do that is practical or will make a reall difference.

I wouldn't worry about it much, take it to a touch-free wash WITH underbody spray later this week and that should do it good, but it will be OK if it spends a week or two caked in salt.

Bundle up reallly warm and bring out all the Gore-tex you own and bring some quarters to a do it your self car wash and get the undercarrage and the paint with just a spray and you will be alright and should only take 5 mins or so if you can move quickly.

Better yet if temps allow and you have access, get a sweep-style sprinkler and run it under the X, repositioning every 15 mins or so

Move to California There's snow here, but they use sand instead.

Cross the line to Nevada though and you're swimming in salt.

Depends on the salt type. Chloride based salts will promote corrosion on steel. Sugar and nitrate based salts have little to no effect on corrosion rates but will leave white stains where it dries, but can be easily washed off. Most likely they are using the chloride based salts because they are 90% of the cost.

We are the king of salt use. If its cold out and driving on heavy salt days, I do not park inside for that week or so..heat/melting activates the process. Once the weather warms up, I'll head to the local touchless carwash, give it a second spray underneath in the garage and let it dry off overnight.

mmmmm. sugar salt.

Mmm, like kettle corn!