Bought a new car, and after a few months getting rust in your car? Your favorite color car is turning reddish or brown? Getting worried about rusts? If you ignore this rust, it will make your metal sheet into some butter or cheese. Now you don’t have to worry about the rusts. And you can stop the spreading of rusts as you have some methods to fix these rusts. So let us review about “how to fix rust on a car?”
Rust is a reddish-brown or yellowish-brown coating of iron oxide caused by water droplets. The leading cause of rust is the weather. When a metal is exposed to rain, sun, and extreme temperature, rust can occur. Iron and steel materials ultimately reduce to iron oxide when it comes in contact with oxygen. Saltwater is called as an enemy of the metal.
Similarly, the car also has metal parts that can be rust. In coastal regions, the rusting of the car is even more. If you are worried about this rust, then relax; you don’t have to worry much as you have some methods to get rid of the rust in your car.
Contents
How To Fix Rust On A Car- Step By Step Guide
Three kinds of rust may occur on your vehicle. The three types are:
- The Surface rust
- The Scale rust
- The Penetrating rust
The Surface rust: This kind of rust only affects the top layer of your car panels. You have to treat the rust at this stage to prevent further rusting. The best way to avoid surface rust is to have automotive paint with you always in your garage. And give touch-up to the area where you find the rust.
The Scale rust: If you leave the surface rust to continue, then you can see the scale rust. Salts present in dust act as the main cause of corrosion. The vehicles corrosion is mostly found in northern states. The salts create a chemical reaction and speed up the corrosion process.
The Penetrating rust: Penetrate, as the name suggests it means creating holes. This is an advanced stage of rust. If penetrating rust is found on the panel or any part of your car, then you have to replace that part. So the best method to prevent the penetrating rust is to repair the rest at the first stage itself.
To prevent rusting over the car can be done by washing your car regularly. And also, keep the car clean from road grime, salts, and dirt that lead to corrosion. Even after these techniques, if rust does not leave your car alone, then you have to follow some techniques that may help you get rid of corrosion. For fixing the rust on your car, you have to follow some simple steps properly. Here there are some steps that you can follow step by step to get rid of rust in your car.
Just start your process by finding the area of the rust on your car. Most of the time, rust starts from under the paint of your car, which may be invisible. After some days, it bubbles out to the surface and looks like a design under the paint. When you find out this bubble of rust, clean the area then start the below process.
Total Time: 1 Hour
Step 1: Get Your Primary Tools In Your Garage
Before you are fixing the rust, you should have some vital tools required for fixing rust. Some materials are;
1. The Breathing mask
2. The Protective goggles
3. The Electric drill
4. The Hammer
5. The Paint
6. The paint primer
7. The sandpaper
8. The Wax
9. The grease remover
10. The automotive paint that matches the color of your vehicle
11. The rust-resistant primer and grinding wheel.
These are some basic items you should have in your kit before fixing the rust. Along with this, if you have chemical rust remover, it is helpful, but it’s not compulsory. And the range of sandpaper should be perfect, for metal sandpaper should be 80grit, and for removing paint and shaping patches, you must have 120-150 grit.
Step 2: Mask Your Car
Now you are set to start the fixing of rust. The second step is to start masking your car. Mask the part of your car which you don’t want to paint. You can use newspaper or masking tape for masking. Your masking should be two feet away from the repair area. If you are using prime to your car, then mask it neatly, leaving an only visible area of rust.
Step 3: Remove The Rust
Use 80-150 grit sandpaper to get down the rust. You can remove all the paint of the affected area by this. Before moving to the next step, makes sure that the area is smooth and ready to paint. Paint the rust with rust-resistant prime. If the rust has left some pits in the metal, then fill the pits with body filler. Now add zinc metal in the rust hole, then fill and let it dry.
After removing the rust for better performance, you can use zero rust paint as a base paint layer. Once it is dried, you can further apply automotive paint.
Step 4: Clean Your Car
Now after masking, clean the unmasked area of your car. You can use grease-cutting dish washing detergent and with clean rinse water. And also, you can use wax as remover on the area where you are about to sand. Let it dry, and then wipe it with a clean cloth so that you can remove any dust that remained even after washing.
Step 5: Apply The Paint Primer
After the primer is dried, use 180grit sandpaper and rub until it becomes smooth. After drying, use finger grit sandpaper using hand. Then spray a thin layer of primer. Once it is dried again, add another layer. After this, you can paint or prime also. If you decide to paint, then smooth it with 400 grit paper.
Step 6: Paint The Car
Once your car is ready with a smooth surface and dry, start painting. Your painting should be thin, even, and no thick spots. After the paint is dried, smooth the car again with 400 grit sandpaper. And paint and repeat the process for three more coatings. And the final touch should be with wet sand use only water and 400 grit sandpaper.
Step 7: Apply Coat And Clean
After the process of sanding, painting, and everything is dried, finish the process by applying a clear coat. This coating gives you a new look to your car and also protection. Let the car dry and check whether there are any uneven parts; if you find any again, sand it cleanly.
If the rust is serious, then you have to change the part of your vehicle. For a new part of your vehicle, you need to know the vehicle’s ear and vehicle’s model. And you can search it on the website that if they are available or not.
Things You Need To Fix Rust On A Car
1. Rust-Oleum 7582838 Primer
- Ideal for use on ferrous, non-ferrous metal, wood, concrete, masonry and other such surfaces to prepare surfaces for...
- High quality, durable oil-based formula maintains consistent, corrosion-resistant color despite the elements and...
- Covers up to 14 sq ft, dries to touch in 15 minutes and ready for immediate topcoat application ; Indoor/outdoor
- It is a professional primer spray paint.
- It is ideal for use on ferrous metal, non-ferrous metal, and wood, concrete.
- It is corrosion-resistant in color.
- It gives twice the protection of single paint.
- It can cover up to 14 square feet and can dry within 15 minutes.
2. POR 15-45001 Rust-Resistant Paint
- ✅ WHY CHOOSE POR-15 RUST PREVENTIVE COATING – POR-15 is the gold standard in high performance coatings. Trusted by...
- ✅ CURED BY MOISTURE – The secret strength lies in the curing process. Unlike most paints that dry through...
- ✅ APPLICATION - Remove grease, oil, and other foreign substances using POR-15 water-based Cleaner Degreaser followed...
- It is a glossy black rust preventive paint.
- It has a non-porous finish that doesn’t chip, peel, or cracks.
- It prevents the metal from further exposure to moisture.
- For exposure to UV light, another top coating is required.
3. Dupli Color
- PREMIUM AUTOMOTIVE PAINT & PRIMER – Dupli-Color Premium Acrylic Enamel is a no sanding, spray paint and primer in one...
- DURABLE FINISH - This Dupli-Color paint features an advanced, high-solids formula that bonds to a variety of surfaces...
- PROTECTS AGAINST RUST – Featuring an easy-to-use spray nozzle, this vehicle paint ensures maximum coverage for a...
- It is a premium acrylic spray paint.
- Both paint and primer are found in one product.
- Sanding is not required.
- It has maximum rust protection.
- This product is best used for metal, plastic, wood, fiberglass.
- This product can be used for both automotive and home décor projects.
4. HSYMQ Sandpaper
- 12 Grits Assortment:120/150/180/240/320/400/600/800/1000/1500/2500/3000 Grit, each grit got 2 sheets
- Convenient size and easy to identify: all sandpapers are 9 x 3.6 inch, also can be cut into any size you need....
- Wet or dry sanding: waterproof and tensile resistant technology allows these abrasive paper sheets to be tough and last...
- It is of 24 pieces of sandpaper pack.
- Variety of grits are available in this product like 120, 150, 180, 240, 320, 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1500, 2500, 3000 grit.
- It is a handy size product.
- The sandpapers are in the size of 9*3.6 inches.
- It is a waterproof product.
- The product has tensile resistant technology that enables abrasive paper sheets to last for a long time.
5. 3M 9019 Sandpaper
- 12 Grits Assortment:120/150/180/240/320/400/600/800/1000/1500/2500/3000 Grit, each grit got 2 sheets
- Convenient size and easy to identify: all sandpapers are 9 x 3.6 inch, also can be cut into any size you need....
- Wet or dry sanding: waterproof and tensile resistant technology allows these abrasive paper sheets to be tough and last...
- It is general-purpose sandpaper.
- This product is easy to use.
- It can sand paint, wood, and metal.
- This product is made of aluminum oxide mineral.
6. 3M Primer 94
- Promotes adhesion of tapes to polyethylene, polypropylene, ABS, PET/PBT blends and other on difficult to stick to...
- Promote adhesion to surfaces
- To use with ABS, PET/PBT blends, concrete, wood, glass, metal
- It has many applications.
- Now, this product has become popular to assist in applying automotive vinyl wraps.
- The surface should be clean and dry before applying this product.
- It can be used on plastic, rubber, and also on metal.
Some Tips
- When you are working with getting rid of rust, do this work in your car-garage or similar workplace to garage. Never do this work outside.
- Safety has a vital role when you are using a grinder that gives out sparks to your eyes. So use proper safety goggles.
- Those sparks give pain to your skin also, so it’s better to wear long sleeves and pants.
- Along with that, to keep out of the dust that may harm your lungs, use regular surgical masks.
- While masking includes delicate parts like tires, glass, and any part that is too sensitive to heat as sparks can ruin it.
- While applying primer, don’t use an electric sander.
- If your car rust has done structural damage, then never try to fix it at home. It’s better to talk to a professional mechanic.
- If you are using paint, which is both primers and also the base paint, then there is no need for a separate primer.
- After finishing the process of removing rust, wait for at least 30 days and then give wax to your vehicle as it provides a complete finish to your vehicle.
FAQs
1. Can the rusted car be repaired?
Yes, you can repair if the rust is in a small amount.
2. What to do with small pits in rusted metal?
You can use body filler. Wash your car, fill with body filler, then apply primer.
3. What if the rusting is in a large amount?
If the rust has done the structural damage, then contact your mechanic, and if the whole metal panel has been rusted, then change the entire panel.
4. Will painting prevents rust?
Yes, it can prevent the rust, but before that, you make sure that the surface is smooth.
5. Can we remove rust without sanding?
Yes, by following methods you can:
1. Use chemical remover.
2. Use abrasive tools.
3. Use citric acid.
6. Can rust under the car can be removed?
If it is localized, you can remove the rust by sandpaper or grinder.
Final Thoughts
Rust, it is a scary word. Many people think that rust is the death of their car. Rust is a serious problem. If it starts spreading all over the car, it can reduce the value of your car and also causes structural problems. And again, the good new cars are sent to graves too early because of the rust. To reduce the rust, you have to maintain some steps neatly, which has been said in the above article.
If you have an essential tool and a good time, then you can prevent the death of your car. I hope that the article above is good enough for your questions about the rusting of your car. So now you have got to know how to fix the rust on your car. I hope you don’t have any worries about rust. And thank you for reading the article in patience.
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