What to do if the car paint is peeling and rusting?

[DelLondon]

If the rust is not severe, you can first use very fine water sandpaper dipped in water to gently sand away the rust spots. Sand in the same direction in straight lines. After completely cleaning, apply a layer of primer. For new scratches, you can clean them and directly apply primer. If you have a small can of original factory paint, you can wait for the primer to dry and then use water sandpaper to smooth it out, applying the original factory paint over the primer. You can purchase a touch-up paint pen and use it for coloring, which can help prevent the rust from spreading and worsening.

[StElliot]

Last time I scraped off the paint on my car door, exposing the metal, and left it unattended, which eventually led to rusting. For small areas, you can start by thoroughly sanding off the rust spots with sandpaper, including any peeling paint around them, until you reveal shiny metal. Then, go to an auto parts store and buy a rust-proof primer to carefully apply two coats—this step is crucial to prevent the steel plate from corroding from the inside. Wait 24 hours for it to dry completely, then lightly spray three or four coats of matching topcoat paint, with 10-minute intervals between each coat. Remember to choose a clear sunny day for outdoor work and use tape to tightly cover the surrounding areas before spraying. If the rust has created small holes, it's best to drive to a repair shop and let a professional handle the panel beating and repair, as DIY attempts might end up making things worse.

[DeDelaney]

Bro, if the rust spots on your car are on the chassis or wheel arches, you really need to deal with them ASAP! I learned the hard way with my old car. If you're doing it yourself, first use a metal brush to scrub off the loose rust thoroughly, then apply a specialized rust remover paste to stubborn spots and let it sit for half an hour before rinsing. After drying, you must seal the steel with epoxy primer—ordinary rust-proof paint can't withstand salt spray corrosion. Before painting, it's advisable to sand the rusted area into a sloping transition to make the touch-up edges less noticeable. If the area is larger than a fingernail, it's better to seek professional painting services—they have dust-free baking booths, which result in much less color difference. After washing your car, always check for water accumulation in seams, especially with snow-melting agents containing snow particles—they're particularly damaging to car paint.

[Easton]

Having repaired cars for over a decade, I've seen countless rusted-through doors. If the paint has just chipped to expose bare metal, immediately applying touch-up paint can provide an emergency fix. For yellowed and bubbled rust spots, you must sand with 120-grit sandpaper until the metal turns white, ensuring not a single speck of rust remains. Then apply a metal converter solution - this liquid transforms residual iron oxide into a rust-proof layer. Choose fiber-reinforced filler putty, as ordinary body filler expands when wet. When spraying paint, remember to first apply blending solvent to dissolve the edges of the old paint and prevent peeling. For chassis rust, undercoating is best - after spraying, use a flashlight to inspect for any missed gaps. Regularly lift the door seals to check inside, as much rust starts in hidden areas before eating through.