As the primer finishes drying, sand it down with 180-grit sandpaper until it’s completely smooth. As you drive your car, small stone chips can appear over time, causing the metal to be exposed and to rust. Time will tell just how well it holds up. Rust doesn’t heal itself, so if you want your car in tip-top shape for potential buyers, you may have to invest a little effort. Big Spots. Sand the rust away from the metal and paint the sanded area with the anti-rust primer. While wearing goggles, grind away all rust. The following instructions can fix small rust scrapes and dents, as well as rust holes. If you know how to fix rust holes on a car, you may be able to keep that rust from spreading and causing further damage. If this is the case, you’ll have much less work ahead of you, and you’ll probably be looking at less cost, too. Fortunately, there are a number of strategies out there on how to fix rust on cars or prevent it altogether. Once you’ve completed sanding, painting, and everything has dried, finish by applying a clear coat. If you’re looking for an affordable used car, even one with a little rust, it’s always a good idea to check its accident history first. WE'RE OPEN! Any rust fix involves grinding away the rust, re-priming the exposed metal after patching any holes, and repainting the fixed area. We explain how to use filler, wire mesh and glass-fibre to fix rust holes in your car. ... Large Flatbed: It takes only a glance to make that first—and often final—impression. Unless you’re familiar with welding, it’s inadvisable to work with sheet metal yourself. Continue reading to learn more about how to fix rust on your vehicle! While a regular surgical mask is a great start, consider a respirator due to the nasty chemicals involved. Using 80–150 grit sandpaper with a sanding block or mechanical sander, get down to the bare metal or the rust. Of course, you may need to repair a few more rust spots as your vehicle ages, but this is normal. For severe rust, the rust has typically eaten all the way through the sheet metal on the vehicle. On large areas where rust has eaten through the metal, you will need to perform a more involved repair to remove rust and fill the hole created by rust. Your email address will not be published. We are taking proactive measures to provide a safe environment to protect the health of our guests & our team. If you suspect that the rust on your car could have originated from one of those sources, report it to your insurance company right away. Finding a rust spot on your car might feel like the worst thing in the universe, but it isn’t the end of the world. Finally, we’ll be kicking up a lot of dust, which can wreak havoc on your lungs. Any sparks sent flying by the grinder can damage the finish on your vehicle, giving you extra work to do! Be proactive by keeping your car clean. Rust is usually placed into one of three categories based on how serious it is, but penetrating rust is the worst. Before moving on, make sure the area is perfectly smooth and ready to paint. Once this is complete, add another layer, let it dry, and sand it smooth. It’s easier to prevent rust than to fix it, but if you’ve managed to let some slip by, it’s not the end of the world. Cars in coastal regions are even more susceptible to rust. Given how harsh Canadian winters can get, drivers must brace themselves and their vehicles to face up to the impact of below zero temperatures and vast volumes of snow. Use the poly sheeting to cover the areas around the rust spot... Scrape off the flaky rust first and then use the 40-grit sandpaper to sand the rust down to the bare metal. It doesn't matter if the rust hole is large or small; this system will work well. Unfortunately, rust is the silent killer of many cars; it creeps in over the years while you’re not watching, and it can eventually wear out not just the body of your vehicle, but more important parts, too. Exposed metal will eventually start corroding and ugly rust sop will appear. Thanks for sharing http://www.sonnyscollision.com/. Once your car is rust-free and ready to go, CarLotz can step in and take care of the rest, helping you get the best value for your car with the least amount of hassle! If you experience any paint drips or notice any unevenness after your paint has been applied, don’t hesitate to sand and re-paint your repair job as many times as necessary. Repeat the entire process for three coats of paint. I scraped the rest of … If you’re using a primer, mask as much as you possibly can, leaving only a few inches on each side of the visible rust. My husband's car had developed a large rust hole on the front windshield. Once you’ve sanded or ground away all of the rust on the problem areas of your vehicle, it’s time to smooth out the area. Mask every part of the car that won’t be painted with masking paper (newspaper works fine) and masking tape. Working over wet paint could leave rough spots, bubbles or holes in the finish, which wouldn’t do as much to protect or enhance the appearance of your car. Clean it off, let the paint dry, and repeat. Step 1: Prepare your tools. If the hole in the sheet metal is small, you may be able to repair it with body filler, but if it’s large, it may be better to replace the entire rusted panel. If you plan to use a grinder at any point during the rust removal process, make sure to wear protective clothing and eyewear and be sure to mask off any nearby areas of your car. ® A registered trademark of the National Automobile Dealers Association, under license to J.D. Solutions to patch up rust vary depending on the degree of rust damage, so a thorough visual inspection will help you determine what steps you need to take. If you own a car that’s more than a few years old there’s an even larger chance rust will … Paint the rust holes border with a rust resistant primer or convert, according to the manufacturer’s instructions and waiting the recommended amount of time. Be careful to create a smooth, even transition between the repair area and unrepaired areas of your car, or the repair job will be noticeable once the paint is applied. If you used body filler or a fiberglass repair kit, you will want to sand your patch job once it fully cures. How to fix rust on your car: Step-by-step instructions Sure, you can lower your risk of rust and rust spots on your car by applying paint protection film to chip-prone areas like the front edge of the hood, and by frequently washing off road salt and waxing your vehicle regularly. 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