Rust is troublesome, especially on body panels or near suspension components. It can even compromise your vehicle’s structural integrity when corrosion moves beyond the surface level, resulting in rust holes.
Luckily, you can repair or prevent rust holes, depending on the severity of the issue. For example, small holes on panels not connected to critical components/systems are still repairable.
Repairing auto body rust holes is a tedious and challenging process, but with the right tools and steps, you may be able to do the job yourself.
Note that this process won’t fix bigger holes, as some can be damaged beyond repair. However, if the corrosion process hasn’t gone beyond the surface level, you can prevent it from spreading by preparing the following tools and following the steps below:
Afterward, follow the steps below:
Rust generally forms because of a chemical reaction called oxidation, which happens when iron or steel is exposed to water and oxygen over time. The oxidation process eats away at the metal, creating visible surface rust.
Some things that may help start this process include moisture, salt, pollution, and poor maintenance.
Rain, humidity, or even washing your car, can introduce water to the metal surfaces that start the rusting process.
Road salt lowers the freezing point of water to melt snow and prevent ice from forming on roads and pavements. However, it can also accelerate vehicle rust buildup because it increases water’s conductivity.
Salt can get lodged in the vehicle’s underside, prompting moisture to react with it and form rust. This occurs because electrons move freely in salty water, speeding the oxidation process.
Similarly, driving near seawater may also result in rusting since the high salt content in the air and the excess saltwater moisture from the ocean may stick to your vehicle. As such, it’s best to wash and dry your car after driving through coastal towns and areas.
Pollution also plays a part in rust forming on your car. If your area is prone to rain and is polluted, the pollutants in the air can mix with rain to form acidic compounds that can corrode metal surfaces.
Neglecting regular maintenance, such as washing and waxing your vehicle, can leave your vehicle’s paint and protective coating vulnerable to corrosion damage.
Here are some maintenance tips to keep your daily driver rust-free.
Clean your car frequently to remove dirt, salt, and other contaminants that may cause rust. Don’t forget the undercarriage and wheel wells since rust can form there and spread elsewhere.
It’s recommended to wash your car at least twice a month. Use a car soap or cleaning agent since they’re formulated for automobiles.
Waxing your vehicle creates a protective layer on the surface, preventing rust from forming. Wax your car at least twice a year. If you don’t park in a covered garage, you should wax your vehicle more frequently as exposure to the elements can degrade the wax earlier than usual.
There are spray-on waxes you spray onto the surface after washing your car to make waxing easier.
There are professional services that can help prevent rust from forming on your vehicle. For example, undercoating involves applying a moisture-repelling sealant to the vehicle’s underside to protect its structural base from damage caused by road salt and other debris.
The easiest and cheapest way to prevent rust is to keep your vehicle dry. If possible, park in a covered garage to protect your vehicle from the elements.
After washing your car, use a microfiber cloth to ensure you don’t leave behind any moisture. Without moisture on the surface, the oxidation process won’t start and won’t result in rust and rust holes.
Rust can be a serious problem for any vehicle, so it pays to take measures to prevent it. Using anti-rust products, like car wax and rust protectors, is a great step, especially if you get ones from CarParts.com.
The best part? You don’t even have to leave your home to get your hands on any of your orders. Simply use your mobile device or computer to visit our website. Fill out our vehicle selector and use the filters to narrow down our extensive selection to the products you need.
We make it a point to get our products from the most trusted manufacturers in the industry to ensure they’re effective and long-lasting. If you have any questions, our friendly customer service team is available 24/7 via our toll-free hotline to assist you.
Every item in our catalog is also available at competitive prices, meaning you won’t have to break the bank to get your hands on what you want. You can also expect to save a lot of time because our warehouses are strategically located all over the US, which helps ensure fast shipping.
Whether you’re in the market for car wax and rust protectors, you can find and order what you need in no time. Shop now!
Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.