What Those Lines on the Road Before a Storm Are

Brine Around the Hamilton Area

City of Hamilton

Hamilton dispatches winter vehicles before an event starts to put down an anti-icing treatment if needed. In its November 2018 winter update, the City gave average use per season of about 250,000 litres of salt brine for anti-icing and 65,000 tonnes of salt.

Town of Grimsby

Grimsby sprays anti-icing liquid on the Woolverton and Park Road hills before forecast storms. The Town says the road ends up slightly wet but no more slippery than rain water, and that the snow activates it.

Ontario highways

On provincial highways, the Ministry of Transportation says anti-icing liquid can be sprayed before a storm to stop snow and ice sticking, and that pre-wetted salt is road salt with that liquid added so it stays on the surface (ontario.ca, updated July 23, 2026).

Keeping Brine Off the Paint

It travels with you

Liquid brine is easy to pick up and hard to see. Once it dries on a car it leaves a dull white film, usually on the lower doors, the rear hatch or bumper, and the wheels.

Rinse, then wash

Plenty of water lifts most of it. Wiping first drags any grit across the paint. In freezing weather a touchless rinse is better than nothing.

Protection helps the rinse

A ceramic coating gives brine less to cling to, so the rinse does more of the work.

Common Questions

Is brine worse for cars than rock salt?

We have not found an official comparison we can quote. Both are salt. Brine is a liquid, so it gets into seams easily, while rock salt arrives as slush. Treat them the same way and rinse often.

Why do crews spray it on a dry road?

Because it works before the snow arrives. Grimsby explains that the liquid dries quickly and is activated by the snow to start melting.

Does an automatic wash get it off?

Usually most of it, if the wash gives the lower panels and wheels a thorough rinse. Brush washes can leave swirl marks over time, and paint correction removes those.

Related Pages