Info on Minor Rust Repair

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Small areas of rust are moderately easy to fix. You can fix most of these small spots in the comfort of your garage with a few basic tools. If you have rusted through holes, and very large severely damaged areas of rust then I suggest replacing the rusted area with new crash parts or seeking the help of a competent body shop. The first step is to find the affected areas and prep them for rust treatment. You will need either paint thinner or rubbing alchohol (which is much more handy in most homes) and a wire brush or coarse grit sandpaper. Using the sandpaper or brush remove any loose particles or chipped paint. You are not trying to achieve a smooth surface, just a surface that is free of loose particles. After you are satisfied that all the particles have been loosened up and removed use a shop rag and some thinner/alcohol to wipe the affected areas down removing the fine surface contaminants as best you can. Next, using a coarse grit sandpaper, grind down to a clean (rust free) paint sample at about 2 inches around the affected area and over also grind the area itself. The goal here is not to achieve a perfectly smooth surface but to achieve a decently smooth surface and make sure that there are no immediate areas around your repair that will be a problem after the job is done. Using your brush lightly brush away any dust particles left by the sandpaper. Tape off the area you are working on from the rest of the vehicle in order to avoid paint overspray (if you plan on painting when you are finished) and bondo from marring the rest of the vehicle. Next, apply the bondo to the area with a plastic putty knife. You don’t need a large amount just enough to leave as smooth a surface as possible. The bondo fills all of the rusted pit marks and any scratches from your brush and sandpaper in. Let it dry according to the manufacturers directions. While you are waiting on it to dry, and if you plan on finishing the job with paint, take a sample of your paint or your code from your glovebox to a reputable automotive paint dealer or body shop, and have more than enough made to cover the affected areas. Also, don’t forget to buy a primer and a clear to go along with it! Finally, using a medium/fine grit sand paper work the bondo down to a smooth even contoured surface. Give it a quick wipe down with a clean rag and thinner allow the thinner to evaporate and then wipe down with a tack rag. Apply the primer according to directions, and allow the proper time to dry. Now apply the color coat according to direction, achieving a clean uniform coat, and allow the proper dry time. Finish up the paint process by applying the clear coat according to direction, and allow the proper dry time. When your paint has dried completely, you can do a light wetsand, and a buff to achieve the nice smooth glossy surface you are looking for.

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