Rust is one of the worst problems you could ever have if you’re a car owner, especially if you’ve owned one for years. Those pesky brownish stains can lead to early retirement to the junkyard if the problem isn’t fixed quickly, as rust can make it to the car frame if left alone too long.
Common Cause of Rust in Vehicles
During winter, salt and sand are used extensively on roads to make it safer to drive. However, those two also have a powerful effect on a car’s steel body.
Salt contributes to rust in the body panels, which can then spread in just a few years. Sand, on the other hand, can scratch the clear coat – which is more resistant to rust. Without this protective layer, the car becomes more exposed to the elements and therefore becomes more prone to rust. In arid areas, water is another catalyst for rust.
As the rust worsens, auto body repair becomes more and more necessary.
Auto Body Repair Solutions to Remove Rust
1. Panel Replacement
Widespread rust may result to seriously damaged panels, so simple rust removal efforts won’t work. You are likely better off replacing old panels with brand new ones. If you are replacing an entire panel like a door, for instance, the process for rust repair and collision repair will be the same.
Whether you plan to use cheap after-market units, used parts, or genuine new factory replacement panels, you need to find the best quality products that will fit your budget.
The process of surface preparation may be a bit different, though, in comparison to the rest of the car. Make sure you clean panels first by using a grease or wax remover for a more effective replacement.
2. Sanding
Removing rust from the surface of a solid sheet can be done by making use of a sanding block and an 80- to 100-grit sandpaper. After getting rid of all the rust, you will be left with either bare or painted metal. Simply wipe the panel down with wax and grease remover for a clean surface.
Next, use the epoxy primer to coat the panel. Any sanding scratch left behind after using coarse grit sandpaper during auto body repair will offer excellent adhesion for your epoxy primer. Before you block sand, it’s important to remove any dents by filling or repairing them. You can then apply a coat of high build primer.
3. Rust Repair Panel Installation
Generally, rust repair panels are used to restore old and vintage vehicles. However, they are becoming more popular in newer models affected by rust as well. These panels work best for areas like the lower parts of a door or a portion of the main body like the rear quarter panel.
For common vehicle brands and models, it’s highly unlikely that you won’t find a rust repair panel for your specific application. During installation for this kind of auto body repair, you need to identify how much of the original panel should be removed so you can weld the new panel in place. The entire damaged or rusted area should be removed, but not so much that the panel no longer covers the whole area.