Rust is the oxidation of metal resulting when iron is exposed to air and moisture. The best remedy for rust deals with prevention: A simple touch up on a chip in the paint of your automobile can save time and money. Take care of your car by washing it regularly and noting when scratches and chips occur. However, if you are already in the “too late” stage, you need not sentence the car to the crusher. Fix-its are available, some simple, some less so.
Instructions
1. Assess the problem area. If you’ve got a hole in your door, the rust has won--you need a new door. However, if it’s a patch or two around a bumper, a wheel rim or elsewhere, there’s hope. Mark off the areas on which you want to work and protect the others from the paint and dust that will be flying by taping a tarp or plastic sheet around your work area.
2. Use a grinder with a sanding wheel to remove the paint around the rust spot. You will need to go beyond the paint and primer coating to metal.
3. Grind with a metal grinding wheel to remove the rust and smooth your auto’s surface. Be careful--you don’t want to grind through the metal.
4. Apply an anti-rust agent. There are several reasonably priced commercial agents that will work. However, there are also home remedies including a mixture of molasses and water which works well to de-rust metal. If you’re not in the mood to experiment, try "Evapo-Rust" or Phosphoric acid, which you can purchase at an auto parts store.
5. Fill holes. If the metal is pock-marked, dented or has visible holes in it, fill the holes with a bonding agent such as Bondo and smooth it over the now non-painted areas. Allow to dry.
6. Sand area, by hand with 120 grit sandpaper, to ensure smoothness. Fully clean area, assuring it is dust free.
7. Paint with primer. Allow to fully dry.
8. Sand with fine, wet sandpaper. Clean area.
9. Spray with automobile paint, preferably obtained from manufacturer, matching the color of your automobile in thin layers, allowing each layer to dry fully before applying the next.
10. Remove tape and covering only once the area is fully dry.
