Content

• Steps
• Tips
• Warnings
• What do you need

When bare metal comes in contact with oxygen in the air, a chemical reaction called oxidation occurs, which forms rust, which gradually forms holes through the metal. If you're not afraid to get your hands dirty, this article will help you get rid of the rust and prevent it from spreading further.

Steps

1. 1 Wash the area around the damaged area of ​​the body. Thus, you can avoid damage to the paintwork by dust and dirt particles. Contaminants that cannot be washed off with plain water should be washed off with soap.
2. 2 Let the area to be repaired dry.
3. 3 Cover the area around the rust-damaged area with paper and masking tape. This will help protect your car's paintwork from unwanted contaminants and help you avoid damaging it while sanding.
4. 4 Sand the rusted area with sandpaper or a sanding bar. If you are using sandpaper, use only your index finger to press down on it. If you are using a sanding block, sand only with an angle. Don't push too hard and try to control every movement. The goal is to remove excess rust and not damage the metal.
   
5. 5 Sand until all rust is gone. Do not grind metal or paint that is free of rust.
6. 6 When you've gotten rid of all the rust, blow off all the dust and use a rag to wipe off all dirt, rust residues, sweat, blood, etc.etc.
7. 7 Make sure to get rid of the rust completely. If you find rust, continue sanding, then wipe the area again with a rag. If you end up with an uneven metal surface, use an automotive filler.
8. 8 Remove the masking tape and wipe again with a rag.
9. 9 Cover the sanded area with soil. Bare metal rusts very quickly, so if you skip this step, the area being repaired will rust in a couple of weeks.
10. 10 As soon as the soil is dry, the repair can be considered complete. You can move to the next area or take on painting to make your car look like new.
    

Tips

• These instructions are for repairing small areas of rust. Do not use too much sanding force, use fine abrasive paper and do not use an electric sander if you are dealing with a small area of ​​rust. If the part is badly damaged by rust, it makes sense to look for a replacement for it at auto disassembly.
• Use only quality tools and materials. If it is important to you how the result of your work will look, it is worth spending money on a good putty for the body. If you are not going to paint a rust-free area, you can use an inexpensive primer.
• Rust forms when bare metal comes into contact with air. Moisture and salt make the situation worse. If you notice rust, it means that the protective layer of the paint is damaged.If the paint is swollen in several places, it makes sense to consider repainting the entire car.

Warnings

• Perform filler and primer work in a well-ventilated area. Working indoors will help avoid bad weather, insects and dust, but there is a danger of poisoning from chemical vapors.
• Use a protective mask. If you have an old car, keep in mind that it may be painted with high lead paint. Lead dust is very harmful and using an electric sander will increase the amount of dust.
• Sand with goggles. Abrasive particles can damage more than just paint on a car.

What do you need

• Soap and rags to clean the repaired area
• Masking tape
• Sandpaper or sanding block with different abrasiveness. Many sanding stones have a different abrasive on each side.
• Priming
• Automotive putty
• Overcoat paint (optional, but recommended)