There are several resons why you
may be concerned about rust spots
on your car. If you are going to try to
sell it, any apperance of surface
rust will drive down the re-sale
price considerably. If you plan on
keeping the car for a long time,
then you want one that looks nice
and that wont be falling apart
around itself.
If you have surface rust that has
developed from chip paint,
or even rust that has started as the result of the broken paint surface over a dent,
you can take a few steps that will have your car looking great again in on time.
Just because your car is old doesnt mean that it has to be a rust bucket.
Prep The Rusted Area:
The best way to begin preparing the surface is with an electric hand held grinder.
Use a 150 grit sanding wheel to begin creating a smooth surface. There will be
a definite drop off point where the paint has been chiped away. You want to use
the sanding wheel to level that surface so that you cant feel the difference
between the painted surface and the unpainted surfaces with your fingers. Try it with
your eyes closed to see if you can really feel it or not. Use the sanding wheel to
remove as much as the rust as possible, but dont get frustrated if it wont take it
all away. The next step will take care of that.
After you have removed as much rust as you can with the metal grinding
wheel, then it is time to hand sandpaper. I recommend 150 grit. This is
going to be used to remove eny last stubborn rust spots and to perfect the
transitionthat you have created between the painted edge and the bare metal. Take
your time and do a great job here. This is the step where you will make or break
the quality of your finish.
Prime And Paint:
Begin taping the area off. I would reommend useing the blue painters tape that is
available at most home inprovement stores, as is does not have a sticky residue when
removed. Begin with a high quality auto body primer. The key is to apply very thin
coats instead of trying to use one very thick one. Paint builds with is strength by
being applied in layers. Apply three thin coats of primer, waiting about 10
minutes between each one. After the thrid coat has been applied, let it sit
overnight so the primer can fully cure.
When the primer has dryed, take a piace of 150 grit paper
and very lightly hand sand the area. You are not trying to remove eny paint
but simply ensuring that the surface is smooth. Make sure that you knock down
any dust that may have accumulatedin your primer coats while they dried.
The paint, just like the primer should be applied in very thin coats. You should
usually use three coats, but you may find that four or more gives you a deeper looing finish.