How to Effectively Deal with Large-Scale Body Rust?
3 Answers
Effective methods for dealing with large-scale body rust depend on the specific situation: 1. If it occurs within the warranty period, you can seek repair at a 4S shop; 2. If it's beyond the warranty period, polishing and repainting the body will suffice. Methods to prevent body rust include: washing the car frequently, taking protective measures for the paint such as waxing and sealing glaze, coating and crystal coating, and avoiding parking under trees. The method for car crystal coating is: 1. Clean and remove dirt from the body; 2. Protect parts of the body without paint to avoid grinding damage; 3. Polish and restore the paint surface; 4. After polishing, remove the cover, rinse off surface wax residue to avoid leaving any behind; 5. Degrease to remove the oil film on the paint surface.
When I notice large areas of rust on my car's body, I sometimes handle minor issues myself: First, I wear gloves and safety glasses, then prepare sandpaper to gradually sand the rusted area from coarse to fine grit until clean metal is exposed. Next, I apply rust remover to eliminate any remaining rust, followed by spraying anti-rust primer and letting it dry thoroughly. Finally, I apply a matching factory-color touch-up paint. The entire process requires care to avoid scratching undamaged paint. However, extensive rust is too challenging to tackle alone—deep rust may have corroded the metal panel, making sanding insufficient; welding or part replacement might be necessary. So, I recommend DIY only for surface rust and leaving major issues to professional repair shops. Rust is mainly caused by moisture and salt, so parking away from damp corners, drying the car promptly after washing, and applying wax regularly can prevent new rust. Remember, early action saves money—delaying until rust spreads makes repairs more troublesome and costly.
When dealing with large-scale rust issues on a car body, as an experienced automotive professional, I believe the key lies in thorough cleaning and preventing recurrence. Rust typically falls into surface-level and deep-seated categories. For extensive rust damage, start by using chemical rust removers to dissolve the rust layer, followed by electric sanders to eliminate residues. If pits are discovered, fill them with body filler or weld new sheet metal parts. Subsequently, apply multiple layers of rust-proof primer and color paint for sealing. The entire process demands high technical expertise and professional tools like polishers and spray guns, so I recommend sending the vehicle directly to a professional body shop for repairs—DIY attempts often leave gaps leading to recurrence. Rust not only looks unsightly but also reduces body strength, compromising safety. After treatment, test the structural integrity. For prevention, avoid parking in saline-alkali areas or near the coast, rinse off contaminants after rain, inspect rust-prone areas like wheel arches and doors every six months, and maintain dryness to extend service life.
