My trucks are never taken to the beach or near any saltwater, despite living only 20 miles from the gulf, We received some of the end of the weather from Hurricane Patricia, and got some saltwater from the marsh that overflowed onto the road. As much as I hated it, I had to drive my ranger through it to get home from work, about 2 miles the road was full of water, some parts of it deep. Everyones telling me dont worry about it you only paid $1000 for it, but they dont understand that i take care of my stuff and I want it to last. I went to the carwash after and rinsed it of fairly good, but should I get underneath it with a pressure washer and hit it really good? It has some surface rust on the frame from when i bought it but nothing major. I dont think one time in the saltwater will affect it that much but i just want to be sure. thanks
removing salt
- Thread starter mobilaltima
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got an automatic wash with a good undercarriage wash/spray nearby?
those are an important maintenance item in the winter up here in the road salt belt.
one of our local places has monthly unlimited wash plans for their different tiered washes, that basically work out to a little less than the cost of 4 of said washes. I signed up for the second least expensive plan($9 each, or $32 monthly unlimited), as it was the cheapest that offered the undercarriage wash.
those are an important maintenance item in the winter up here in the road salt belt.
one of our local places has monthly unlimited wash plans for their different tiered washes, that basically work out to a little less than the cost of 4 of said washes. I signed up for the second least expensive plan($9 each, or $32 monthly unlimited), as it was the cheapest that offered the undercarriage wash.
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Originally Posted By: Andy636
Drive it thru some fresh water...problem solved.
+1
Drive it thru some fresh water...problem solved.
+1
JHZR2
Staff member
Id spray the underside with a lawn watering sprayer or equivalent. There are products available at marine stores, that sell by the name of Salt Away, which can be diluted in water to help aid the removal and rinsing of salts.
Originally Posted By: daves87rs
A few times in it's life shouldn't hurt it much...
Phooey.
As I understand it, the OP is essentially describing fording in seawater.
That isn't a one time deal. Its in any cavities, box sections, weld seams, etc. Unless got rid of, that is in for life, short as that may be.
Fording in freshwater seems likely to be the easiest/cheapest countermeasure. Beyond that, depends on how much trouble you want and exactly how deep your fording was, but I'd probably take any carpets out and give it a good sluicing, drying and rust treatment.
Probably easier with a truck than a car, which would be likely to suffer more damage.
A few times in it's life shouldn't hurt it much...
Phooey.
As I understand it, the OP is essentially describing fording in seawater.
That isn't a one time deal. Its in any cavities, box sections, weld seams, etc. Unless got rid of, that is in for life, short as that may be.
Fording in freshwater seems likely to be the easiest/cheapest countermeasure. Beyond that, depends on how much trouble you want and exactly how deep your fording was, but I'd probably take any carpets out and give it a good sluicing, drying and rust treatment.
Probably easier with a truck than a car, which would be likely to suffer more damage.
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Ducked brought up a very good point. I'd get a product specifically made to remove salt, apply it, and follow up with a very lower pressure soap and water wash. Rinse it, allow it to fully dry, and apply a good rust proofing compound. The impact of Fording salt water can rear its ugly head several months later.
One of my cars had a vent on the rear differential. Cold water would have gotten sucked into that if it was ever in water that deep. Check for vents and if you're not sure they were above water, change out the fluid. Cheap insurance.
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