How to Remove Rust from a Car

Fortunately, rust doesn’t have to be a permanent problem. You can eliminate this unwelcome addition to your vehicle quickly and inexpensively.

• Prepare yourself and your workspace - Wear proper safety gear including rubber gloves, safety glasses, and a dust mask. Protect the portions of the car you’re not working on with painter’s tarp and tape. Equip yourself with a sanding wheel, sandpaper and a small amount of rust acid compound.
• Remove the outer layer - Use the sanding wheel on the outermost layer of rust because it will be the toughest to remove. Take extra caution only to remove the rust and not the metal.
• Remove the small areas - Use sandpaper to concentrate on the rusted areas that are too delicate to handle with a sanding wheel.
• Apply rust acid compound - Wipe sanded area clean and apply a thin layer of the mixture. Follow the instructions on the container to ensure that the compound is not left on the exposed metal too long.
• Reprime and repaint immediately - You should not wait longer than 24 hours after removing rust to reprime and repaint the affected area.

Although rust may not seem like a major problem in the beginning, it’s much easier to deal with when it hasn’t spread and caused damage to your car’s functionality. Whether you’re looking to sell your vehicle soon or keep it for years to come, removing rust will increase the appearance and safety of your car immensely.