3 Steps To Safely Eliminating Automotive Rust

Posted on: 7 September 2016

Automotive rust is more than just an unsightly nuisance--left alone, it will only grow worse as time goes on. Thus it is important to attend to patches of rust as soon as possible. The good news is that it is perfectly possible to do this on your own. If you would like to learn more about this basic repair task, read on. This article will teach you how to eliminate automotive rust in three simple steps.

Sand

Here your objective is simple: use a sequence of progressively finer sandpapers to completely eliminate every single bit of rust. If you happen to own an electric sander, you'll find this process a lot simpler. That said, manual sanding is every bit as effective--just more work. Start by using a piece of 100-grit sandpaper to remove as much rust as possible.

To be on the safe side, it's a good idea to sand a little ways beyond the edges of the rust patch. This will ensure that you will also remove any rust that might be hiding just beneath the edge of the adjacent paint. Once you've got the area nice and clean, go back and smooth it out with a 150-grit piece of sandpaper--and then again with a 200-grit piece. By smoothing out the area, you will not only remove any microscopic bits of rust still remaining, but you will ensure a less noticeable final result.

Prime

Now you're ready to prime the patch of bare metal. To avoid getting primer where it doesn't belong, block off the area around the sanded metal using masking tape. Now you can apply the primer. The kind you will want to use is known as self-etching primer. This type of primer contains a super abundance of zinc, which helps to both prevent and control any instances of future rust.

Paint

Painting the bare patch is a fairly self-explanatory process. The most important thing is to be completely sure that the paint you're using matches the original shade. If you're not sure of the exact shade to use, check your VIN plate, where you should be able to find the color code pertaining to your car's topcoat.

Apply several coats of paint, allowing each to dry completely before you paint on the next. To create a seamless appearance, you should expect to add at least five or six layers of paint. Once the final coat is dry, apply some automotive wax to the area. This will add an extra layer of protection against unwanted oxidation. 

For more information, contact an auto body company in your area.

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