Removing Rust from a Car Body

Rust is one of the most common problems car owners face when maintaining their vehicles. The main difficulty is that corrosion is quite hard to stop, but it is much easier to prevent with proper care of the paintwork. Our website has a section dedicated to this topic that is well worth reading. Let’s start by looking at why rust appears on a car body in the first place.

As you know, the bodies of most cars are made of steel, so if you are reading this article, chances are your car is made of it too, rather than carbon fibre or aluminium. Steel is prone to corrosion, and drivers often call rust spots «bugs». At the factory the car is given a coat of paint containing anti-corrosion components to extend the life of the body.

Over time, however, this coating gets worn down by small stones, deep scratches or the chemicals used to clear ice and snow from the roads. Micro-cracks and dents appear on the surface and water gets in. The metal begins to oxidise, and moisture speeds up the process. The result is rust, reduced strength and a shabby appearance. But there are ways to fix these problems, and we will look at them below. The main thing is to have patience, knowledge and the right tools.

The rust removal procedure:

Start by washing the car thoroughly to remove dirt and dust from the body.

Then dry the surface and wipe it down with a special car sponge. This will help you spot every source of corrosion on the body. The most commonly affected areas are the wheel arches, sills and underbody. Also check the bonnet and the metal parts of the wings that meet the arches.

Mark the rusted areas with a washable marker or adhesive tape.

Next, use special rust removal products, applying mechanical or chemical methods. These steps are described in detail below.

Treat the cleaned areas to prevent further corrosion.

If the damage was deep, apply a layer of filler.

Finish by painting the treated areas to match the body colour.

Now, each stage in more detail:

Washing the car: for effective washing use automotive products that not only clean dirt off the body thoroughly but also leave no streaks and are gentle on the paintwork.

Drying: the car can be dried naturally or with industrial fans.

Rust removal: there are two main methods, mechanical and chemical.

Mechanical method: degrease the damaged area with white spirit or petrol. Then work the surface with a coarse sanding disc, changing the grit of the sandpaper depending on how deep the damage is.

Chemical method: use special acid-based products. They change the colour of the corrosion, making it easier to remove.

Once the rust is removed, treat the surface with filler and primer if needed. Then choose a suitable paint to cover the treated areas in the body colour. Finally, keep an eye on the condition of the body and inspect it regularly to prevent the rust from coming back.

We offer affordable rust removal, body restoration and car painting services in Almaty.