How to Repair Car Rust
Ellie Dyer-Brown, 3 months ago
5 min read
- How to
- Bodywork
- Maintenance
WhoCanFixMyCar discusses how rust can affect your vehicle and how to treat it.
Rust can be a real problem, particularly on older vehicles, not just for cosmetic reasons. It's a known silent killer; the longer you leave it, the worse it gets until the vehicle's structure is no longer safe.
The best solution is to find a bodyshop specialist who can restore your car to a professional standard and prevent rust from returning. However, it's possible to fix minor cases of rust at home.
In this guide, find out everything you need to know about rust and how to remove it.
Contents:
Where does rust usually happen?
What is rust?
Rust is created when iron reacts with oxygen and water, resulting in an unsightly orange stain that begins to corrode the metal; this is known as iron oxide. Many different things can cause cars to rust, and some speed up the process considerably.
Age is one of the most significant factors. As the years go by, the paintwork is subjected to wear and tear, eventually exposing the bodywork underneath. When this happens, the metal is vulnerable to rust because it directly interacts with moisture and air.
Climate can also affect the speed at which your vehicle rusts. Living near the sea, for example, can make cars rust faster than usual because there is salt in the air. Even the type of salt that’s used on roads can cause corrosion.
Types of rust
There are three types of rust, some being more severe than others.
Penetrating rust is, as you might expect, the most damaging kind. If left untreated, it will eventually cause the corrosion of entire panels and parts that must be replaced.
Scale rust happens when surface rust is left too long and begins corroding the metal.
Surface rust is the least damaging and most straightforward to treat. It only affects the top layer of your car and usually happens in places that have been bumped or scratched.
What does rust look like?
We all know that rust is usually brown or orange, but there are other symptoms to look out for.
Bubbles in the paintwork should be an immediate cause of concern; they indicate that air has got in between the paint and metal, so it won’t be long until rust starts forming. Any scratches or dents, particularly where the paint has been damaged, will likely develop rust.
Finally, if you notice any puddles on the carpet inside your car - particularly in the boot or footwells - this could be a sign that the metal beneath has rusted.
Where does rust usually happen?
Rust is easiest to spot when it’s on the outside of the vehicle, but you’d be mistaken in thinking that just because a car appears to be free from rust, it actually is. Sometimes, rust begins inside a panel and spreads outward.
If you’re worried about rust, always check your exhaust, suspension, wheel wells and frame rails, as these are most susceptible.
Can you paint over car rust?
The answer, unfortunately, is that it depends. Light rust on the vehicle's surface might be repaired with a paint job, but only if the correct procedure is followed; it isn’t as simple as painting over the top of the rust to disguise it.
Average cost to repair rust bubbles
The cost of repairing rust bubbles depends on the extent of the problem; if they only cover a small area, this is an easy job for a body repair shop and should be relatively inexpensive.
However, the cost will be much higher if rust bubbles appear all over your vehicle. The best way to find out how much it will cost is to post a job on WhoCanFixMyCar. Reliable garages in your area will get back to you with quotes, allowing you to find the best price.
How to prevent rust damage
Maintaining your vehicle is an essential part of rust-proofing. Here are a few steps you can take to protect it from rust spots:
1. Keep your car as dry as possible.
Of course, this can be a challenge thanks to the sheer amount of rain we see here in the UK, but something as simple as parking your car in a garage rather than on the street when you're not using it can have a positive impact.
2. Wash and dry.
This is particularly important if you live near or travel to the seaside regularly. When you get home, quickly wash down your vehicle with the hose pipe and dry it off with a chamois. This helps to prevent salty air from damaging parts of the car.
3. Use oil and wax.
Wax adds an extra layer of protection to your car's body panels, and applying a squirt of WD40 will help to remove water from areas that are most susceptible to damage (and are usually hard to reach).
Best rust treatment for cars UK
Rust that only affects the surface of a car can be fixed at home if you have the time, patience and necessary tools.
You can buy rust repair kits online containing rust removal liquid. Most of the time, you'll have to purchase the tools you need separately.
If you carry out the repair yourself, the best treatment is Hammerite Waxoyl. It's a powerful spray that removes rust and prevents it from returning.
Here's how to fix rust on your car:
Remove the existing rust with an abrasive surface and a rust remover of your choice.
Fill in the area with glass fibre repair gel.
Sand the area.
Fill in again as necessary.
Apply a primer.
Apply a base coat.
Apply the desired colour.
Finish off with a clear protective coating.
If done incorrectly, the rust is likely to come back and continue spreading.
Rather have someone else repair the rust for you? WhoCanFixMyCar can help you find a car body repair shop to do it quickly and professionally, returning your vehicle to its original glory.
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Written by Ellie
Ellie is WhoCanFixMyCar’s Content Writer. She has a BA in English literature from Durham University, a master’s degree in creative writing, and three years of experience writing in the automotive industry. She currently drives a Suzuki Swift.