How To Patch A Rust Spot

If your car has a small rust spot, you want to fix it as soon as possible. Over time, if left untreated, even small rust spots can grow large and completely corrode the metal. The longer you wait, the more inconvenient, expensive, and time-consuming it will be to fix these rust spots. Here is how to fix small rust spots using auto body filler. The simple process will protect your metal and prevent further corrosion.

Prepping the Rust Spot

Before you can patch the surface with auto body filler, you need to prepare it. If you try to apply the filler directly on top of rust spot, it will not last very long. So, you first need to use auto body sandpaper to sand away as much of the rust is possible. If the corrosion is bad enough, sizable chunks of the rust will just fall right off. Don't be too alarmed if this happens because you will be patching the area anyway. It is better to have a clean, round hole than to have a smaller hole that has rusty edges. Sanding with autobody sandpaper can be a little time consuming because it is usually so much smoother.

Applying the Body Filler

Auto body filler comes in a large can of putty with a squeeze tube of liquid hardener. The cans will include mixing instructions. Once you mix the hardener in with the potty, they will dry very quickly, so don't do it until you are completely ready. The trick is to use a plastic putty knife to apply the patch. Put it on thick. Mold it with a putty knife so it is perfectly flat and even with the cars contours. It is better to put it on thick and then sand it down to shape it after it dries. This sanding will probably be the most time consuming part of the job.

Finally, you will need to add some touch up paint to the patch. For the best results and a perfect color match, try to find replacement paint at your dealership. This way you know the colors will be more accurate then if you buy a third-party product. Applying the touch up paint as simple because it usually comes in a small can and it includes a brush.

As you can see, preparing small rust spots is simple, as long as you don't wait too long.

For more information, talk to a professional like Wasatch Body Shop, Inc.