My family and I are staying at Topsail for a week, as we've done for years, and this is the first time making the trip with my '13 STX. As many of you already know, Topsail always has winds blowing in from the ocean, and it's not unusual to find a thin film of ocean salt on your vehicle in the morning.

With that in mind, I wondered if there's anything in particular I can/should do/look for while I'm here or immediately after I get home, in addition to a good washing. Thoughts?

 

What you said "a good washing" is all I would do.
I would do a brushless car wash that also sprays up from the bottom if you can find one.
Up till 2 years ago I lived in CT right on Long Island sound and you could smell the water when the wind would blow off the water. They also used salt on the roads in winter so after a storm my 02 Durango went thru a brushless car wash and so far don't see any rust on it.
Dave ----


edit: if you can park behind something (building?) to help block the truck from spray also helps.

 

Thanks, Dave. I halfway figured a thorough washing would be all I needed, but since I don't live in the salty air regularly I figured it didn't hurt to ask.

We typically hit up a brushless car wash right after getting off the island. As for parking behind the beach house, that seems to do little good. One year I rode my Super Glide I owned at the time, parked it in the carport and covered it, and it STILL got the salty film.

 

OTL, have a TJ that goes out on the beach pretty much every year for one or two trips a year. Other than that, it hasn't seen much salt most of it's life. From what I can tell it was originally sold here in Raleigh when new, and was here when I bought it. So no northern salt.

With that said, I'm not always the best at remembering to wash it after getting back. After 10 years of owning it though it only has minor surface rust of a few places like the door handles and the frame.

A good wash should be all that it needs..

Hope everyone is doing well today.

 

A good wash is all I do. Make sure to get one that sprays the underside, too.

 

Thanks for the feedback, folks. I ran it through the local brushless car wash this morning with the undercarriage wash. It looks like it did a decent job, such as to be expected. I was impressed, however, with how clean it left the front wheels, which had had a lot of brake dust buildup.

 

Where you able to drive on the sand at Topsail?

 

You can at both the North and South end, but need a pass to do it.

 

I wouldn't have chanced it, even if I did have the opportunity. I've only got 2WD, after all....

 

Chicken!!!

 

LOL.....I'll own it on this one. I realize there are highly skilled drivers who don't need 4WD to make it through mud, sand, snow, etc. I wholeheartedly admit I am not among them...

 

There was a two by out on the island this past weekend. I hooked up to him to pull him out of a stuck. He didn't have the wheels spinning, had the steering wheel turned the wrong way, and kept braking after I moved him. So not all those that try can.

Jeep went through the water road, which is about 10-12 inches of salt water. Splashed over the hood a few times, but nothing drastic. It'll get a pressure wash as soon as I have time, since it can't go through the car wash with a soft top. I did rinse it off immediately though.