What to Do for Rust Spots on Car?

October 13th, 2020 by Fix Auto USA

So you’ve decided to sell your old car. After all, it’s still in good running condition, even after a long winter. But when you’re cleaning it, you notice rust spots on car. What to do?

Well, for starters, even though they may be tiny rust spots on car, you still can’t ignore them, for two very good reasons. First, it could hurt your ability to sell your car, or at least at the price you planned. And second, if you do nothing and go into avoidance mode, the rust spots on car could spread and expand into a much bigger problem. A third possibility is that there may be just minor evidence of rust on the exterior, but underneath the surface it could be much worse than it looks.

Keep in mind that it’s really not a do-it-yourself project, even if you are a pretty handy person. If your goal is to sell your car for the highest price, there is a real risk that you could make matters worse by attempting to repair yourself and end up having to discount your car’s selling price. You would be much better off scheduling an appointment with a professional auto body shop to address this issue.

Rust spots on car must be treated. Here are examples of rust problems you could encounter:

Rust holes

Rust can erode your vehicle’s metal, causing holes to form and weakening its structure. Repairing the damage requires replacing the metal, possibly with a patch, and removing the holes. Again, not a do-it-yourself project.

Rock chip rust

When a rock dings or cracks your car, you want to make sure you get it fixed before it rains. If the metal underneath the paint job is exposed, water damage can lead to the onset of rust, and this can happen rather quickly. Spread a layer of protective wax over the area until you can make an appointment with a trusted auto body shop.

What causes rust to form on your car?

Moisture is definitely a factor. When exposed metal is met with water and other elements, it causes a chemical reaction – oxidation – and corrodes the metal. Also, if you drive your car in a wet or cold weather climate like Seattle, it will be more susceptible to rust formation than if you drive in a dryer climate like Arizona.
Rust can form on cars that have been sitting around for a long time and received prolonged exposure to the elements and environmental toxins.
Salt on the roads, which you find in colder climates, can cause rust your car’s undercarriage.
Little scratches and dents that are not promptly and properly repaired can also lead to rust formation.

To prevent rust spots on car in the first place, here a few tips to keep rust away:

Wash your car frequently and apply a protective layer of wax every six months.
If there is road salt on the roads you drive, take your car to a professional car wash and make sure to have your undercarriage cleaned thoroughly.
If you notice any significant scratches or dents, don’t procrastinate – have them repaired as soon as possible.
Get a new paint job for added protection.