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Rust On Your Vehicle? What You Need To Do

websitebuilder • May 24, 2017

If it feels more like you're driving a rust bucket around than your actual vehicle, then it's time to address the rusty areas of your car. Rust forms when the metal on your car is exposed to prolonged moisture. Salt on the roads during winter can also cause rusting of the undercarriage and sides of your vehicle due to chemical reactions of the salt minerals.

When you notice rust on your vehicle, there are a few things you can do. Use this guide to help you get your vehicle into beautiful condition again.

Address Rust Holes First

Rust can eat through your car's metal, particularly in thinner areas of your car like your doors or side panels. Holes are more than just a cosmetic concern; they can cause your car to be susceptible to dents and other damages due to a weakened structure in the metal.

Rust holes are repaired by removing the offending holes and replacing the metal with patches, and this is a difficult task to complete on your own. Take your car to an auto body mechanic so they can patch the hole areas, remove surrounding rust, and paint your car so all signs of damage are gone.

Take Care of Rock Chip Rust

When a rock dents your car and cracks the paint and protective coating of your vehicle, the exposed metal becomes susceptible to water damage. Water damage leads to rust.

You can easily repair rock chip rust by buffing out the problem area and placing a protective wax over the damage. This buys you time until you can make an appointment with your auto body mechanic where they can buff and pull out the small dents, remove signs of rust, and repair the damaged area with a professional paint job.

Look for Signs of Interior Rusting

Interior rust usually happens when a vehicle is left unattended with open or cracked windows, allowing condensation to get inside. It's also caused when a caustic chemical, such as a cleaning agent or nail polish remover, gets spilled on the door panel and exposes the painted metal.

If you choose to tackle this project on your own, use a rust-removal agent with rustic acid in it (don't forget to wear gloves and safety glasses) to scrub away the rust then use a professional car wax to protect your metal.

You will still want to take your vehicle in to an auto body mechanic so an expert can check under your seats and along your floorboards for signs of deeper rust problems. In some cases your doors may need replacing and your auto mechanic expert can put new doors on your vehicle and paint them to match your car.

Get a New Paint Job

One of the biggest reasons for rust throughout your vehicle is a cracked or peeling paint job that lets water get to the metal frame. There are many types of vehicle paint, including acrylic lacquer and 2-pack paints to protect your car and leave it shiny and new. A primer is placed on your car to both protect it and give it an even canvas for painting, then a paint and hardener solution are placed on your vehicle for a complete finish.

Rust repair can take a bit of work and varies in cost based on how severe the damage is, but once the rust is removed, you can enjoy a well-working car again. Consider a new paint job to better prevent rust damage in the future.

For all your auto body damage needs, from small dents to full collision repair, you can trust the experts at Coats Auto Body and Paint. Whether you want a custom finish or a classic paint job, we can exceed your expectations and make your vehicle like new again.

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