How to Deal with Rust on Car Doors?
3 Answers
If the rust appears on the surface, use water sandpaper to grind off the rust and then spray a layer of anti-rust paint. If the rust has damaged the primer, you need to remove the rust by grinding, spray the primer, and then apply the topcoat. Below is more information about rust: 1. Causes of rust: Due to prolonged exposure to wind, sun, and rain corrosion. 2. Methods to prevent car rust: (1) Avoid using car covers frequently: When encountering windy or rainy weather, if the car is parked outdoors, the inner layer of the car cover will repeatedly whip the car paint, leaving countless tiny scratches on the body. If sand and dust get blown inside the cover, the number of scratches will increase. (2) Apply toothpaste to prevent rust. (3) Perform glaze sealing on soft car paint surfaces.
My car door was rusting, so I just handled it myself. First, I washed the door with car shampoo to remove dirt and ensured the surface was dry. For light rust, I gently sanded it with fine sandpaper (e.g., 600 grit) to expose the bare metal without damaging it too deeply. After sanding, I applied rust-preventive primer, waited one or two hours for it to dry, then painted over it with color-matched automotive paint. Finally, I sealed it with a clear coat for protection. The whole process took about three to four hours in my home garage—though labor-intensive, it saved me hundreds in repair costs. A reminder to myself: check for scratches after car washes and address them early, and apply wax more frequently during rainy or snowy seasons to prevent rust. Other parts of the car, like the wheels, are also prone to rust, and similar methods apply—early prevention avoids major repairs. If water accumulates inside the door, the risk of rust increases, so regularly checking that drainage holes are clear is crucial.
Having driven for many years, I've seen numerous cases of car door rust issues. Rust typically starts from scratches and spreads if not repaired promptly. When dealing with it, I first assess the extent of the rust: small spots can be handled by sanding them down and repainting myself; larger rust areas require complete removal to prevent corrosion from penetrating the door structure, which could lead to deformation and safety concerns. Prevention is key—I regularly wash my car to keep it clean, avoid parking in damp areas, and inspect the paint for any damage during each maintenance check. Severe rust can spread to door hinges, increasing repair costs, so taking early action saves hassle. Experience teaches us not to overlook minor issues—spending a little time to fix them ourselves or visiting a reliable repair shop ensures a clean and thorough job.
