Do De-Icers Damage Your Car Paint?

As a vehicle owner, you should be aware of what eats paint off a car. In addition to keeping your vehicle looking new, protecting the paint can help to increase its resale value if you decide to sell it later.

Modern de-icers have no negative effects on the paintwork of modern vehicles. It is not recommended to use ice melter for roofs or de-icer in any other part of the vehicle, including the interior and around the engines, because the chemicals do not mix well and may cause irreversible damage.

Is It Possible For Ice Melt To Damage The Car Paint?

While road salt brine and ice melt are typically very effective at managing snow and ice and protecting citizens’ safety on the roads, they do come at a cost. The corrosive film left by ice melt on roofs and other surfaces can harm metal, painted, or surfaces. Magnesium chloride is harmful to paint and causes rust damage. A good hose spray under the car or on the tires can also help wash away some of the magnesium chlorides.

Vinegar-based pretreatments, alcohol-based solutions, and dishwashing soap are not harmful to the paint on your vehicle. They do, however, remove car wax and, over time, expose the finish to the elements and corrosive chemicals such as road salts. Windshield covers that have been soaked in a saltwater solution raise similar concerns. If you use windshield pretreatments or ice-melt regularly, remember the importance of total car care and wash and rewax the car.

Deicers, such as calcium chloride and magnesium chloride, are made of more complex molecules that disperse more ions when dissolved in water. When these molecules dissolve, they can be even more damaging to a vehicle’s sheet metal. The pores in question are too small to allow water and salt ions to penetrate the metal beneath. However, the ions released during the salt dissolving process eventually produce a mild acid that attacks the clear coat surface. A variety of other contaminants and impurities enter the salt slurry, further acidifying it. This acid will gradually degrade the car paint, causing it to discolor, fade, and eventually fail.

Is It True That Salt Corrodes Car Paint?

It is critical to understand that ice melt on car roofs and other surfaces are corrosive which have salt. Salt accumulates on your car. It will eat away at the paint over time. Rust will eventually form on the bottom half of your vehicle as a result of the damage. You can save the paintwork by using a salt-free ice melter.

5 Common Things That Damage Your Car Paint

• Bird Droppings: The acidic nature of bird droppings can eat into the paint if left untreated.
• Tree Sap: Sticky tree sap can bond to the paint surface and lead to lasting damage.
• UV Rays: Prolonged sun exposure can cause paint to fade and lose its luster.
• Road Salt: De-icing salts used on roads can lead to corrosion and paint deterioration.
• De-Icer Sprays: Some de-icer sprays contain chemicals that can damage paint if not properly washed off.

Types of Car Paint Damage

1. Scratches: Surface scratches can occur from various sources, affecting the paint’s appearance.
2. Chips: Road debris and gravel can lead to small chips in the paint.
3. Oxidation: Prolonged sun exposure causes the paint to lose its shine.
4. Fading: UV rays can cause the paint color to fade over time.
5. Corrosion: Salt and moisture can lead to corrosion and rust.

Preventive Measures

To protect your car’s paint, consider these preventive measures:

• Regular Washing: Clean your car to remove contaminants that can damage the paint.
• Waxing: Applying wax provides an additional layer of protection against environmental factors.
• Parking: Park in shaded areas to minimize sun exposure and protect against bird droppings.
• Quick Cleaning: Promptly remove bird droppings and sap to prevent paint damage.
• Safe De-Icer: Choose a safe de-icer spray car or an ice melt like Safe Paw that won’t harm your car’s paint. Remember to use a de icing spray for cars.

Gaia Enterprises Inc. delivers 100% pet-safe and environmentally friendly winter products. Safe Paw, our flagship product, is the #1 selling pet-safe ice melt that does not harm pets, safe if ingested, and safe on all types of concrete.

Conclusion

To melt the ice and the snow, ice melt companies use hazardous chemicals and salts. The issue with most ice melters for roofs, driveways, or vehicles is not that they are ineffective against melting ice. But they are toxic to humans and animals. Safe Paw Ice Melter is non-toxic, salt-free, and effective. The key to finding a suitable ice melter is to find one that works and does not contain salt.

FAQs

Other Ice Melt Products