How to Repair Rust Damage on a Car

How to Repair Rust Damage on a Car. Rust damage can bring down the resale value of a car quickly and dramatically, and it's important to nip it in the bud when it's a small problem and an easy repair. Here are some easy tips for repairing that rust damage on your car or truck.

Things You'll Need:

• rust solvent
• wire brush
• coarse sandpaper
• small paint brush
• paint
• rubbing alcohol
• painter's tape
• automotive glazing putty

1. Inspect your car regularly

Inspect your car regularly. Small rust spots are easy to fix and can be repaired in your garage with a few simple tools. If the problem gets too big, you're looking at a much more costly fix.

2. Find the rust spots and prep them for treatment

Find the rust spots and prep them for treatment. Remove the rust from the affected area by rubbing it with white spirits or rubbing alcohol and a sturdy wire brush or coarse sandpaper.

3. Scrape away any loose paint or rust

Scrape away any loose paint or rust. Then apply a rust-removing solvent to get the last remaining bits of rust from the area. Wipe clean with some rags.

4. Use coarse sandpaper to work your way down to a good paint sample

Use coarse sandpaper to work your way down to a good paint sample on all sides of the affected area. Once you've reached unaffected paint on all sides, brush away the dust to clean the area.

5. Tape off the affected area to protect unaffected areas from the putty

Tape off the affected area to protect unaffected areas from the putty and paint you will be applying.

6. Apply glazing putty to the affected area as smoothly as possible

Apply glazing putty to the affected area as smoothly as possible. This will fill in all the pits or scratches so that the paint will evenly cover the area. Allow it to dry.

7. Get a sample of your car's color either from a paint chip or an identification plate

Get a sample of your car's color either from a paint chip or an identification plate under the car's hood. Take the sample to a paint or accessory shop and purchase the matching color, as well as primer.

8. Apply the primer and let dry

Apply the primer and let dry. Then apply a fresh coat of paint. Do so smoothly, quickly and blend it as best you can with the existing paint on all sides.

9. Polish and wax the affected area

After the paint is dry, polish and wax the affected area to finish.

Tips

Paint can be purchased in spray form if you desire.
Wear safety goggles and gloves when handling any dangerous solvents. Wear a facial mask when removing paint and rust so as not to inhale any foreign particles. Make sure you're happy with your color matching. Let the sample dry before comparing it to the existing color of the car.

Video: How to Repair Rust on Your Car Without Welding

Comments on this video:

• Hi Chris - as an older dude getting back into car work, I want to tell you how much I appreciate your videos - especially your attention to safety matters, proper PPE and ventilation. It's great to see a young person getting these skills out there into people's hands. Outstanding work.
• I’ve done some rust repairs on a couple of older late 90’s Mercedes’ AMG’s that were prone to rust issues from that era, and I did the repair very good but I never knew how to get rid of that paint line. Now I know. I just did the wet sanding step by step and I was blown away. Awesome man, thanks!