Your older car has developed some rust spots and it’s got you worried. Not only does it look bad, but as the rust spreads underneath the paint it can cause significant damage to your vehicle’s body panels and frame. Penetrating holes underneath your car can also allow dangerous exhaust fumes to invade the passenger compartment, placing you and your passengers at risk. You really like your vehicle, it runs great and is paid off, so you would rather not replace it and start making car payments again. What should you do? To keep you driving the car you enjoy, collision repair shops can expertly fix that unsightly rust without draining your bank account. What follows are some of the money-saving rust repairs that body shop specialists can perform. But first, let’s examine why your car has rust to begin with.
It’s an unwelcome sight for any car owner—rust on your vehicle. While no one wants to see rust on their car, it is a problem many owners experience, especially those living near bodies of water or in snowy climates. Such conditions create an ideal environment for rust to take hold. If you’re seeing rust on your car and wondering, when is it necessary to remove it? The answer is likely, sooner rather than later, as it can pose a threat to your cars’ structural integrity and safety if left untreated.
When your car’s paint gets weakened by road salts, chemicals and dirt, the underlying metal eventually gets exposed. Scratches and dents that go unrepaired, like from a minor fender bender, also promote rust formation, and even on newer vehicles. When bare metal combines with iron, water and air it corrodes through a chemical reaction known as oxidation- which you see as rust. Cars are more prone to rust near the ocean or where road salt is routinely used. Much like an iceberg, a small surface rust area may be an indication of more serious corrosion festering underneath. Body shops have special equipment to evaluate the extent of the corrosion, and once the problem is diagnosed they will determine what type of rust repair works best.
These are used when the affected area is minor, as the name implies, and the rust hasn’t yet penetrated through the metal. In other words, there’s no significant damage to your vehicle’s body panels or supporting structures. Smaller rust patches commonly result from a neglected slight dent or deep scratch in the paint. The most cost-effective small area repair involves a technician sanding away the corrosion and some of the surrounding paint. The exposed metal is then carefully primed and repainted to accurately match your car’s original finish.
When the rust has spread to a larger and/or deeper area, more extensive bodywork is needed. This type of rust damage commonly occurs near the bottom of your car, and when the metal has corroded through. In these situations, a section of the body’s metal must be cut out and replaced, and then a bonding material is utilized to fill in around it. Sometimes the entire body part must be switched out for a new one. In either case, the repaired area is then sanded, primed and painted to blend seamlessly with the rest of your car’s exterior.
Some car owners might be tempted to tackle the problem on their own, however, auto body repair shops that perform rust removal can offer auto owners peace of mind and more knowledge about the impact the rust is having on the car. Rust that is not removed can continue to spread, possibly eating into the car’s body and causing rust-outs when the pits from the rust turn into holes. Since rust tends to spread and poses a threat to a car’s structural integrity and safety for the road, it’s a good idea not to delay in removing the rust and making sure it doesn’t spread.
Even if the rust damage is not extensive, it’s better to move quickly and bring the car in at the first sign of rust. While insurance may not cover the cost of rust removal, getting it removed may be a good investment, particularly if your car is newer or you plan to resell it. So, if rust spots pop-up, don’t despair, but work quickly on getting it removed. This can keep your car in good condition on the outside and inside and ensure a longer driving life for your vehicle.
Once the shop is done with your rust repairs, your car will look great. To protect the freshly-painted area(s), experts recommend washing and waxing your car regularly. Many commercial drive-through car washes target underneath your car, which removes corrosive materials. In addition, it’s a good idea to have it professionally detailed at least annually, as the detailing protectants permeate all of your car’s tiny nooks and crannies that trap rust-forming substances. Reliable auto detailing is another service that most collision repair shops offer to customers.
No car owner likes to see rust on their “baby”. Rust can show up on cars of any age when they’ve experienced paint scratches, minor dents, or have been exposed to corrosion-inducing materials. When rust appears on your vehicle, it’s best to eliminate it promptly with some top-quality auto body shop rust repairs. Driving around in a rusting car can also place you and your passengers at risk for more serious safety issues. Restore your peace-of-mind by having it inspected and the rusted area professionally repaired by specialists at a reliable body shop. Doing so can also save you a lot of money over buying another car. To search your zip code for a dependable auto body shop nearby that does rust repairs, visit: www.carwise.com now.
