After the weekend with the most trips of the summer, you may be one of the lucky ones who begins your days off in a tourist destination. The archetype of the Spanish traveler is the one who travels by car during his vacations to the coast, which implies, on the one hand, checking your vehicle before traveling, and on the other, combating the effects caused by saltpeter and sand afterwards.
Parking on the beachfront is a privilege for many, but this can cause damage to the bodywork or the underside of the vehicle if it remains parked for a long time. Saltpeter tends to accumulate and corrode car paint and trim. Also, the soil moisture on the coast contains the same salt as the marine environment, so wheels and tires could rust if not properly cleaned. If it is not removed in time, the saltpeter could even affect the operation of the engine.
A simple way to prevent corrosion of the bodywork by saltpeter is to park your vehicle with your back to the sea. In this way, you will be able to reduce the impact of the sea breeze that usually carries sand with it. Another option is to cover your car with a waterproof canvas, which you can buy from about 30 euros.
The ideal would be to remove the excess saltpeter accumulated on the car’s paint on a daily basis. To do this, you will only need to invest a few minutes and a little money to wash it with soapy water. It affects, above all, the metal parts, the wheels and the underbody of the vehicle. You can also apply a degreasing liquid to soften the salt before washing it.
If you don’t want to use the barrel to lather it, you can use a soft sponge, but never a brush with hard bristles, as it could cause scratches on the bodywork. To avoid this type of damage, you can apply an anti-corrosion protector.
Sand and saltpeter can not only affect the body of your car, but also have effects on the floor and upholstery respectively. It is recommended that, during the holidays, you periodically extract and shake the sand from the mats. Take advantage of your time in the laundry room to vacuum the cabin thoroughly.
To remove saltpeter from upholstery, apply a dry foam directly to the stain and scrub with a brush until it forms a rich lather. Next, you should rinse it with a damp cloth or sponge. If the upholstery of your car is leather, spray the foam on the affected area and rub it with a dry cloth until it returns to its pre-corrosion shine.
