Car washes gearing up for winter weather weekend rush
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — The winter weather has been painting the state white, and your car, with salt. An item on many to-do lists this weekend will be getting car washes, and to prepare, local car washes are ramping up their staff.
"[Salt] just gets everywhere. It's get on the undercarriage, the sides of the car," said Corey Hinson, the District Manager at Zips Car Wash.
Hinson said his crews across the metro have been clearing parking lots, thawing tunnels, and gearing up for a flood of salt-covered cars.
He also said they saw a big jump in numbers during Oklahoma's last snowfall.
"I do expect that to be almost double this time," said Hinson.
They're bracing for up to 400 cars, per site, per day. That's double the usual amount.
"It's going to be very busy," said Hinson.
To prepare, they'll be bringing in extra staff.
However, it's not just about looks, it's about saving your money on repairs down the road.
Gary Wano, owner of GW and Son Body Shop, said the closer you follow another car, the more salt will be sprayed onto your car.
Remember, salt is corrosive and can create a sand-blasting effect.
"Which is going to remove some material. And with the sand involved or the salt involved, then it could also create some corrosion on the paint itself," said Wano.
Wano said many cars have protective finishes, however, over time the salt can eat away at your undercarriage, shocks, brakes, bushings, and inside the gaps under fenders.
"You're going to want to try to do everything you can to get rid of any of that residue," said Wano.
That damage can be pricey.
"Any corrosion damage, rust, or whatever else is out of your pocket," said Wano.
Wano's suggestion is to rinse and repeat.
"Go through a car wash once, at least the one that has the good undercarriage car wash," said Wano. "Go a couple of days and do it again and then maybe give it a couple of days again and do one more."
"It's just simpler to maintain it than it is to go to replace it," said Hinson.
Hinson said Zips can get all sides of your vehicle, even the undercarriage.