By Will Drayton · October 29, 2026
Salt carried on the ocean breeze settles on paint, glass and especially the underside of the car, where it holds moisture against bare metal.
Washing every week or two removes it before it can start rust. An underbody flush matters more than anything you can see from the driveway.
A sealant or ceramic coating gives the clear coat a barrier, so salt and sand rinse off instead of sticking.
After a beach day, rinse the same day if you can. Sand in the door jambs and wheel wells is where small problems start.
