Salt is great on popcorn. Sand is what you want on the beach. But do you want salt and sand on your vehicle? Not so much.

Sooner or later it snows in Nebraska and when it does, the street crews are out almost immediately after, spraying a mixture of salt and sand onto the roads to assist in melting both snow and ice.

Here’s the science behind this according to the DMV: “Salt lowers water’s freezing point, causing any ice already formed to melt even though the air temperature remains well below freezing. The sand helps keep the salt in place, plus it adds a bit of traction to wet and often slushy roads.”

The downside of salt and sand can be the damage it causes on your vehicle, including scratches and potential rust (if left too long).

The good news is there are ways to help your vehicle survive its encounters with salt and sand.

• Wash your vehicle during those wintry months. How often? J.D. Power recommends washing your car when the paint looks dirty from two car lengths away. If road crews are out for multiple days putting down salt and sand, it’s best to wash your vehicle sooner.
• Changing out your wiper blades is important because it keeps chemicals off your windshield that could cause cracks.
• Before the first major snowstorm of the season, it’s a good idea to apply a coat of wax to protect your vehicle’s paint job. If you must wax in the winter, the DMV recommends heating up the surface of your car before applying wax. This can be achieved using a blow-dryer.

Keep the salt and sand where it belongs: on the roads. If you do have issues with salt and sand damage, call Great Plains Auto Body at (402) 334-7100 and set up your appointment today. We can get your car back in shape in no time!