Dealing With Rust: How To Get Rid of Rust on Your Car 

Do you live in areas near salt water or cold climates where local governments use salt or other chemicals to melt the snow and ice on the roads? Then, you have probably seen rust on your own and other vehicles. If you leave it, this rust can become a safety risk. Therefore, this is how you remove rust from your vehicle.

Types of Rust

If you found a new Volkswagen for sale and decided to purchase it, you should know the different types of rust your vehicle can get. Surface rust develops on the surface of metals. Scale rust digs into the metal and starts decomposing it. Scale rust can become penetrating rust, which leaves your vehicle’s metal brittle and creates holes, requiring part replacements, not repairs.

Prepare Your Vehicle

Wash your vehicle thoroughly. Then, tape poly sheeting around the rusty area of your vehicle. Leave it several feet away from the actual rust because you will need to blend the repair into your vehicle seamlessly.

Remove Rust

Now you are ready for rust removal. If your rust is surface level, use a rust removal product, but wear gloves and eye protection and follow the directions. For scale rust, remove any bumps and blisters with a heavy-duty scraper or wire brush. Then, move through 40-grit, 120-grit, and 220-grit sandpaper until you remove all the rust and feather the edges so the repaired spot blends into your vehicle without ridges and bumps. Remove any debris.

Clean Your Vehicle

You can prevent rust in the future by making sure you get it all. After the rust is gone, clean the area you don’t have taped off with a grease-cutting soap. Let the car dry completely before wiping it to remove any remaining dust.

Prepare for Paint

Use filler to fill in any holes or pits. Use multiple thin coats and let them dry in between applications. After the filler dries, sand it to a smooth finish without bumps.

Apply a solvent from the paint manufacturer to prepare the metal for its paint. Apply two or three heavier coats of epoxy primer before sanding it with 600-grit and 1000-grit sandpaper until the area blends well with the surrounding paint. Wash and dry the vehicle.

Apply filler primer in two to three heavy coats, letting them dry between applications. Then, sand with 320-grit paper. Wash away all debris.

Paint Your Vehicle

Stand 12 inches from the vehicle and spray the paint in evenly, overlapping coats from left to right and the bottom up. Apply up to three coats, but let the paint dry in between. Sand out any drips before applying another base coat. Then, follow the same instructions for one application of your clear coat. After drying for a few days, buff the paint with a t-shirt or microfiber cloth.

Protect Your Vehicle from Rust

To protect your vehicle, wash it regularly. Don’t forget the underside of your vehicle. Also, inspect your vehicle, including its undercarriage and drain holes in your doors and rocker panels. Make sure these holes are clear and clean. Lubricate your undercarriage and vulnerable parts to prevent corrosion.

Remove the Rust from Your Car Today

For the best results, remove the rust and repair your vehicle immediately. You don’t want the expense of replacing parts due to holes and safety concerns.