Rust on a car not only looks bad, but it also causes structural damage on your car. If you do not treat the rust quickly, the problem can become much worse, and you will end up with very high repair bills. Below you will learn how to treat the rust you have now, as well as how to prevent it from happening to your car again.

Treating Rust Spots

If you only have small rust spots, you may be able to treat them yourself. You should treat them as soon as you see them, however, before they continue causing damage to your car.

Sand over the spot with fine grit sandpaper until you no longer see any rust. When you are finished, apply a primer to seal off the area. This will also protect it from moisture and oxygen that caused it to rust.

If the rust spots are flaking, you will need a grinding wheel to get the area completely smooth and free from rust. You can purchase a grinding wheel at an auto parts store. Follow the instructions on how to use this properly, because if used in the wrong way, it could damage the body of your car. Go slowly over the area until you see no more rust.

If the rust is deeper and/or feels very hard, this means it has penetrated into the car's frame.  In a case like this, it will be difficult for you to repair it. For this reason, contact an auto body repair shop immediately to take care of this problem. They have the right tools to completely remove the rust and get your car looking like new again.

Preventing Rust

One of the first places you will see rust on a car is the undercarriage. This is because it is more exposed to moisture and oxygen, and is constantly in contact with pebbles, road salts, sand, etc. Frequently wash your car, including the undercarriage to remove these corrosive materials before they have the chance to cause rust. As you are washing your car, look for any signs of rust forming.

If you live in an area that has cold winters, your car is more prone to rust due to driving on salty roads all the time. Take your car at the end of each winter to an auto body shop to have it inspected. The body shop can go ahead and treat any issues they find before they become a big problem.