What causes corrosion on metal objects and how does salt or other deicing chemicals fit into the equation?
• For corrosion to take place, there are three things that are needed before it happens. The three items needed are metal, air and water. Metal things are usually exposed to air, but when water gets introduced into the picture corrosion can begin. Water gets into an area of metal that is weak or not protected from paint or oil. An example of this is a barbed wire fence that you see along the highway. It is a metal always exposed to air, but when the humidity in the air gets high or when it rains, slowly over time the barbed wire fence will rust. So when there is a weak spot in the metal of your vehicle and water finds a way to get to the metal, corrosion will begin. But how does salt or deicing chemicals fit into this equation? The salt or deicing chemical is a corrosion accelerator. It is not necessary for corrosion to take place, but it speeds the process of corrosion along. Therefore, when you see corrosion on a vehicle, it means that the metal has been exposed to air and water. Sal
