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Thu Aug 15, 2024 1:34 pm

I'm planning on embarking on the 1100mi round trip drive to Burning Man starting Monday night. Considering that last year I broke down and ended up hitchhiking, this is quite the endeavor. I ended up hitching a ride from Lee Vining to Reno, then Reno to BLC. It was quite the adventure but not one I'd like to repeat. I'll update you guys! Wish me the best!

Thu Aug 15, 2024 2:09 pm

I've never been, but from what I've read, if you love your van you'll take something else.

Thu Aug 15, 2024 2:11 pm

Best!

I well recall your ‘23 “adventure” and admire returning to “clean that up.” :wink:

Have a boring, unadventurous, tool-free trip. 8)

Thu Aug 15, 2024 3:46 pm

I heard that nobody goes there anymore, it's too crowded.

Just weeks before Burning Man, you can still buy a ticket. Why has demand cooled?
https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/burning-man-festival-tickets-still-available-19651843.php

Thu Aug 15, 2024 3:48 pm

Some of the desert is very salty, be sure to wash the van, including the underside, rinse out the rockers, and all the nooks and crannies very well to avoid massive corrosion issues.

Thu Aug 15, 2024 4:01 pm

The 'dust' doesn't rinse off.
You have to neutralize it with an acid. Such as a dilute vinegar spray. If you don't neutralize it, then you get it wet, it corrodes steel real fast.

I didn't like that stuff, much.

This is a new CV

Thu Aug 15, 2024 4:24 pm

https://www.saltaway.com

They push this stuff hard for boaters but works well on vehicles also.

Thu Aug 15, 2024 4:37 pm

Live near there and I would never take a van there. High alkaline talc like dust everywhere. If it rains the mud is even worse.

Thu Aug 15, 2024 4:55 pm

MsTaboo wrote: https://www.saltaway.com
They push this stuff hard for boaters but works well on vehicles also.

looking at the MSDS for this stuff it looks like an oleic acid (a form of soap) corrosion inhibitor, an organic solvent, and a surfactant. probably works based on the chemistry. seems like the right thing to spray the chassis down with after Burning Man or that romantic drive on the ocean beach.

my heart is with Burning Man but i'm too old and fat, poor, and uncool to be with the modern crowds. i'd love the vehicles, the environmental hostility, and the share vibe. but Canadian festivals eg Winnipeg Folk Festival do it for me now... chill vibe, no one out of control, leave your binoculars out on a tarp all day long unattended and they are still there when you come back. y'all got something right.

Thu Aug 15, 2024 4:57 pm

retroman wrote: Live near there and I would never take a van there. High alkaline talc like dust everywhere. If it rains the mud is even worse.
The OP is indeed going to Burning Man.

They didn’t ask if we would or if he should.

Thu Aug 15, 2024 5:01 pm

E1 wrote: The OP is indeed going to Burning Man.

I don’t recall him asking if we think we would or if he should.

Haha, yep I'm definitely taking the van. One of the main reasons I have it. From what I've been told, my grandparents took it once years ago. I'm honestly not super worried about the dust. This will be my 3rd year. I'm aware that a cleanup will be needed after.

Thu Aug 15, 2024 5:03 pm

E1 wrote: The OP is indeed going to Burning Man.

They didn’t ask if we would or if he should.

thread drift just verifies these posts aren't AI! that alkali at Burning Man is no worse than a winter in MN. onward!

Thu Aug 15, 2024 5:15 pm

1100 mile round trip. Easy. What’s that 4 fill ups? Enjoy.

Fri Aug 16, 2024 9:50 pm

As I read this post about corrosion from the dust at BM, I couldn't help but think about another post i saw just the other day on the "Have You Seen One Lately" thread. Here is the photo that got me thinking:

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/2527430.jpg

That van and the red pickup in Eagle Plains NWT are covered with Magnesium Chloride which is what they put on roads to keep the dust down, certainly not exactly Burning Man dust but extremely corrosive to any bare metal.

I have never seen a discussion on the Samba regarding Mag Cloride and Volkswagen Vans. I have had my van coated like the one in the photo by driving on dirt roads in Wyoming. They probably use it everywhere dust is a problem. It's a good idea to pressure wash it off whenever you get that crap all over your van.

Fri Aug 16, 2024 9:59 pm

Pretty sure driving around @ Burning Man you get a protective B.O. slick...so no worries :P

Sat Aug 17, 2024 6:37 am

Love My Westy wrote: I have had my van coated like the one in the photo by driving on dirt roads in Wyoming.

I've lived in and traveled Wyoming for the last 20 years and never experienced mag-chloride. I thought it was one of those Colorado things I escaped from.

Sat Aug 17, 2024 9:17 am

Chootrain470 wrote: E1 wrote: The OP is indeed going to Burning Man.

I don’t recall him asking if we think we would or if he should.

Haha, yep I'm definitely taking the van. One of the main reasons I have it. From what I've been told, my grandparents took it once years ago. I'm honestly not super worried about the dust. This will be my 3rd year. I'm aware that a cleanup will be needed after.

Is it really hip and edgy if your grandparents did it? :wink:

Sat Aug 17, 2024 9:23 am

zerotofifty wrote: Chootrain470 wrote: E1 wrote: The OP is indeed going to Burning Man.

I don’t recall him asking if we think we would or if he should.

Haha, yep I'm definitely taking the van. One of the main reasons I have it. From what I've been told, my grandparents took it once years ago. I'm honestly not super worried about the dust. This will be my 3rd year. I'm aware that a cleanup will be needed after.

Is it really hip and edgy if your grandparents did it? :wink:

Grandparents, yes

Parents, no

Sat Aug 17, 2024 10:02 am

zerotofifty wrote: Chootrain470 wrote: E1 wrote: The OP is indeed going to Burning Man.

I don’t recall him asking if we think we would or if he should.

Haha, yep I'm definitely taking the van. One of the main reasons I have it. From what I've been told, my grandparents took it once years ago. I'm honestly not super worried about the dust. This will be my 3rd year. I'm aware that a cleanup will be needed after.

Is it really hip and edgy if your grandparents did it? :wink:

When did the OP mention "hip and edgy"? This sounds like a needless insight to your projections.

Sat Aug 17, 2024 2:12 pm

jimf909 wrote: zerotofifty wrote: Chootrain470 wrote: E1 wrote: The OP is indeed going to Burning Man.

I don’t recall him asking if we think we would or if he should.

Haha, yep I'm definitely taking the van. One of the main reasons I have it. From what I've been told, my grandparents took it once years ago. I'm honestly not super worried about the dust. This will be my 3rd year. I'm aware that a cleanup will be needed after.

Is it really hip and edgy if your grandparents did it? :wink:

When did the OP mention "hip and edgy"? This sounds like a needless insight to your projections.

that's heavy dude, like real man. Is you saying the burningman aint hip nor edgy? :shock:
Tell me it aint so man. :?