# Paint and salt

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/paint-and-salt/10142>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [February 2, 2008, 4:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/paint-and-salt/10142 "2008-02-02T16:21:49Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![ArtVandalay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9f8e36/32.png) [@ArtVandalay](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ArtVandalay)\
**Post date:** [February 2, 2008, 4:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/paint-and-salt/10142/1 "2008-02-02T16:21:49Z")

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In the public garage where my wife parks while at work, we’ve gotten some streaks of what looks like salt but doesn’t want to come off the paint. I imagine it’s some sort of ice melter, but I don’t want to rub it too hard and damage the paint. Any suggestions?

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**Author:** ![Docnick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Docnick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Docnick)\
**Post date:** [February 2, 2008, 4:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/paint-and-salt/10142/2 "2008-02-02T16:27:45Z")

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If it does not come off with warm water and a soft cloth it is not salt! It could be lime plaster or cement streaked on the car by careless construction workers. I would try to get that off with a scratch removing compound while gently rubbing. Please check out other compounds at auto supply stores, or phone a car detailing shop; they will know exactly what to use.

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**Author:** ![SteveF](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/stevef/32/2_2.png) [@SteveF](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SteveF)\
**Post date:** [February 2, 2008, 6:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/paint-and-salt/10142/3 "2008-02-02T18:04:22Z")

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Whether it’s ice melter (calcium chloride) or a lime product (calcium carbonate) it can easily be dissolved by an acid solution such as household vinegar.

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**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\
**Post date:** [February 2, 2008, 7:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/paint-and-salt/10142/4 "2008-02-02T19:57:14Z")

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Is it a multi level garage? Almost anything can leak down from one floor to the next including dissolved building materials. You may want to contact the garage management. I once got a free paint job when I was spattered with concrete from a construction site I drove past.

If that is not an option you choose, then consider an auto detailer. They tend to be able to handle many of those problems.

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**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\
**Post date:** [February 2, 2008, 7:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/paint-and-salt/10142/5 "2008-02-02T19:59:50Z")

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Trying vinegar is an excellent idea. follow it immediately with a good bit of water to wash it off. Do not use an acid stronger than vinegar; it might damage the car and you.