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Autobell Says Slag Mixture Both Helpful and Harmful

25 January 2000

Autobell Says Slag Mixture Both Helpful and Harmful; A Good Car Washing Eliminates Slag's Harm

    CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 25 -- Slag, that dutiful mystery
mixture spread by local and state street maintenance departments during snow
and ice storms, is a welcome addition to road surfaces for motorists needing
help with traction during slippery conditions.
    However, when the snow melts, most slag remains on the streets and on the
vehicles that drove those byways, and part of the slag mixture is salt, a huge
incubator for rust on metal.
    "The slag mixture that is used in Charlotte is a 3-to-1 ratio of slag and
salt," explains Larry Green of the Street Maintenance Division of Charlotte's
Department of Transportation.  "Our slag is metal pipe shavings from Charlotte
Pipe & Foundry Co., and the salt is pure ocean salt.  Car owners should wash
their cars after they have driven on a slag mixture.  I've seen it cause rust
and even rot wood if it's not washed off.
    "The NC DOT uses a similar mixture, but I'm not sure of their exact
formula," continued Green.  "The slag helps the vehicle tires with traction,
and the salt helps melt the snow and ice."
    Chuck Howard, president and owner of Autobell Carwash Inc., which has
26 full-service carwashes in NC, echoes Green's remarks.  "It is vitally
important to get a thorough car wash after driving in snow.  The cars'
undercarriage and paint surface are extremely vulnerable to the effects of
slag and should be washed effectively as soon as possible."