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Does Salt Damage Cars On The Coast

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February 06, 2026, 11:40 AM
maxwayne
Does Salt Damage Cars On The Coast
A young friend is going to take his older Excursion to his new home in Florida. He asked me to do whatever needed to be done before it is shipped.

I had it undercoated a couple of years ago when it was repainted. Do I need to have the undercoating checked or do anything else?

He is not going to be driving it on the beach.
February 06, 2026, 11:44 AM
pedropcola
You have to ask where in Florida. If he lives in a condo on the beach salt takes a massive toll on everything. On the other hand if he lives even mildly inland it is zero issue. For example I live 6 miles straight down the road from the Atlantic. I get absolutely no salt issues whatsoever.
February 06, 2026, 11:48 AM
trapper189
I’m going to say no unless the vehicle is somewhere there’s wind driven saltwater spray. Lived here for 25 years, visited since the 70s, and don’t recall seeing or hearing about cars rusting out. Our ‘78 CJ7’s frame rusted out, but we brought it down from Wisconsin in ‘86.

Edited to add:
Salt damages vehicles everywhere, but it has to get on the vehicle first. You don’t get salt on your vehicle driving around in Florida like you do driving around in the winter up north.
February 06, 2026, 12:10 PM
ZSMICHAEL
I am ten miles inland, but cars immediately on the beach suffer from wind driven salt spray. Put your vehicle in an enclosed garage
When Hurricane Ike came by the transformers a mile inland shorted out because of the salt spray.
February 06, 2026, 12:45 PM
ryan81986
I grew up 900' from the shoreline. Cars don't rot away to the point of being unusable (usually) but there are adverse effects such as early body panel rot, rusted steering/suspension components, etc. Granted we also have road salt to contend with up here, but.




February 06, 2026, 01:22 PM
powermad
I lived in St. Pete Fl for several years.
All of my older cars were rotten to the core.
I needed the windshield replaced on my pickup and they said if the removed it the cab would collapse.
It had steet signs for floors
There was almost nothing salvageable on the 72 Trans Am
February 06, 2026, 01:24 PM
FenderBender
Yes, but no more than road salt in the winter.


_____________________________________________
Proverbs 3:31 "Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways."
February 06, 2026, 01:39 PM
Aglifter
Depends on how close.

I lived ocean front, and had salt spray on the windows, 12 stories up.

The building has a fresh water rinse, in the garage, and we were encouraged to use it, daily.
February 06, 2026, 01:41 PM
Graniteguy
I have lived on the Seacoast of NH for the past 35+ years and never had a vehicle damaged by the salt-air. (or road salt for that matter)
February 06, 2026, 01:50 PM
Pistolria
I live a block off the beach and have never had a problem. Over 10 years now.
February 06, 2026, 02:43 PM
maxwayne
His place is on the barrier island right off Melbourne. Probably has salt on both sides. He is most concerned about the undercarriage. It has already spent over 20 Winters on Illinois roads.
February 07, 2026, 02:39 PM
HRK
There are shops that do undercoating and have an oil based protective spray that they use inside frame rails, supposed to be really effective

Living on a barrier island he'll get plenty of salt in the air, drive on the beach, sand and salt. Something like Fluid Film, Woolwax, Blaster Surface Shield, but have to be done annually.
February 07, 2026, 06:05 PM
Lunasee
Are electric cars (and their batteries) affected by sea salt air?