Gritting does not even use grit anymore, so the risk of actually damaging paintwork is very small. In the past, gritting was a mix of sand, small stones and salt, but nowadays, gritters just use rock salt.

Do gritters damage your car?

Will following a road gritter damage my car? Yes, following a road gritter is a horrible sensation, and it sounds like your paint and windscreen is being chipped to pieces. ... If you're careful about how you follow a gritter, the risk of damage should be minimal.

Can road salt chips paint?

Rock salt is still hard and in some cases sharp, so yes, think it could chip your paint. Sometimes you get a clump that falls out from a salting truck, like those that form on the spreader, and that can dent your sheet metal bodies.