How to Prevent and Repair Rust Spots on Your Car
Cars in certain locations are more prone to rust than others. Areas that have harsh winters generally use road salt to melt snow and ice, and road salt is hazardous to the body of a car. Road salt causes rust that can ultimately destroy the body of a car. If you live in an area where salt is commonly used on roads in winter months, you can greatly benefit from the following information.
Everyone who watches television or pays attention to ads is aware of commercial rust protection for cars. Commercial rust protection is essential, especially in locations where road salt is used, but there are additional measures you can take in order to help prevent and control the spread of harmful rust on the body and undercarriage of your car.
Wash Your Car on a Regular Basis
Washing your car on a regular basis is more important than you might realize. If you live in an area where road salt is used during winter months, you should wash salt, dirt, and grime from the body and undercarriage of your car at least once a week.
Pay special attention to the wheel wells and quarter panels behind the tires. Dirt and debris tend to clog the drainage cowling around the wheels, and moisture becomes trapped. Eventually rust begins to form, and if the rust spots aren’t repaired before they spread, the damage becomes irreparable.
Repair Spots of Rust Before They Spread
Rust spreads like cancer on the body of a car, and rust spots must be repaired as soon as they appear. If you don’t repair small spots of rust, it won’t be long before rust spreads out of control. This is why it’s important to examine the body of your car on a regular basis for spots of rust.
Signs of rust appear as small bubbles beneath the paint. Don’t ignore small bubbles. Chances are the unseen damage beneath the paint is much more extensive. Take care of small spots of rust while they’re still manageable. Repairing rust spots really isn’t as difficult as you might think.
How to Repair Rust Spots
The first step in repairing a rust spot on a car is removing loose rust. Use a razor blade to carefully scrape away loose paint and rust, and be extra cautious near undamaged areas. After scraping away loose paint and rust, clean the area with warm water and car soap to remove traces of wax and grime.
After the area to be repaired is clean and dry, apply a primer that contains a metal conditioner. Auto supply stores can recommend specific brands. This will stop further rust, and this type of product will prep the area for painting. Follow specific product label instructions for best results.
After applying the metal conditioner/primer according to instructions, apply touch-up paint to the prepped area. Use the brush attached to the cap of the touch-up paint, or use a fine-tip artist brush for better control and precision.
