How to paint rusty areas of a car body
Let's figure out how to paint over rust on a car yourself
How to remove rust from a car body with your own hands
Problems most often arise in the following places:
- Arches over the wheels.
- Edges of trunk and hood.
- Places where elastic pads interact with iron.
- Floor under the driver.
- Thresholds.
The complexity of the damage determines the method of elimination.
- Dry - formed in heat, details darken.
- Wet - appears when there is constant contact with liquid due to adhering dirt.
Gradually the paint peels off, so applying new enamel is not enough to solve the problem.
The first method is affordable but requires effort, the second is easier and costs money. After removing the rust, the damaged area is painted over with cosmetic enamel, which is sold in small bottles with brushes similar to cosmetics.
Removing rust from a car body mechanically
- Cosmetic - occurs in places where plastic and iron interact. Plaque is easily removed and does not lead to destruction.
- Under-film - forms under the paint, bubbles appear on the surface.
- Point - small inclusions quickly penetrate the metal.
- Through type - complete destruction, the iron softens.
- The spotted species spreads widely over the surface and gradually turns into a through one.
Rust must be removed immediately after detection.
Use sandpaper or a brush with iron bristles and a rust converter to clean the damaged areas.
Advantages of this method:
- Large or embossed areas are processed.
- Inexpensive tools are purchased at hardware stores.
- Consumables are cheap.
To get rid of corrosion in this way, you will have to work hard.
Tools and materials:
- Rust converter.
- Sandpaper.
- Old rags.
- Masking tape.
- Dye.
For severe corrosion of damaged areas, use coarse sandpaper.
Instructions:
- The car is washed and dirt is removed.
- The surface is rubbed down to bare iron.
- Remove dust with a rag and use a degreaser.
- Apply masking tape around each spot.
- To prevent corrosion from spreading to the metal, a rust converter is used.
- When the product dries, the rubbed area is covered with enamel.
Putty, primer and paint are applied to a large area.
Removing rust from a car body using an electrochemical method
- Bumpers, headlights, and decorations are removed.
- The glass is sealed with masking tape or film.
- The old coating is removed.
- After removing the rust, the bends are smoothed out using putty.
The oxidation reaction in a liquid with electrolytes under the influence of voltage helps to get rid of corrosion for a long time. Special kits, Zinkor-Auto, etc. are sold, they are accompanied by instructions, following which everyone will be able to get rid of defects.
- Corrosion is completely eliminated on the entire part.
- The electrolytic method allows you to restore the protective coating.
- There are no orthophosphate acids in the solution, so the lining of the part is protected.
- The procedure takes 1 hour.
- The instructions are simple.
Electrochemical action does not help with through-hole damage. Pure metal is welded onto such areas. An electrochemical kit costs 1500-1600 rubles.
- Mixture for removing grease and rust.
- Galvanizing solution.
- Stainless steel electrode for surface treatment.
- Electrode for galvanizing.
- Wires.
The standard kit removes plaque from 1 square meter. m. metal.
- The stainless steel electrode is connected to the battery through a wire.
- Immersed in solution to remove grease and rust.
- The part is cleaned and washed with water.
- The galvanizing electrode is connected to the battery and immersed in the solution.
- When processed, the iron completely darkens and appears matte.
It takes 2-3 minutes for a 15 micron protective film to appear.
A spacious room with good ventilation and bright light is suitable for painting.
- Clean, all shelves and floor are moistened with water to allow dust to settle.
- Free space of 1.5-2 meters around the machine.
- The light falls evenly.
- Wind and draft are not a concern.
- A powerful extractor works.
- Temperature more than 10 degrees.
In winter, the air in the garage heats up; in summer, it is convenient to work in an open space if protection from precipitation, wind and insects is provided.
The solution of putty and hardener is mixed with a thin iron spatula. Preparation instructions are indicated on the jar. The finished mixture hardens in 5 minutes, all work is done quickly.
The putty is spread in cross motions with alternating 90-degree turns. The number of layers is determined by the size of the damaged area. After each application there is a pause for 35-45 minutes. The composition dries at a temperature of 20 degrees during this time.
The area is sanded with 80 grit sandpaper. This method is suitable for processing plastic parts. Final sanding is done with 1200 grit sandpaper.
After removing the dust, apply film or masking tape. Before painting, the body is primed so that the paintwork adheres better. The liquid is diluted with a solvent and applied using a spray gun. The composition is applied evenly from top to bottom, the dried primer is sanded and moistened. To avoid having to invest money in repairs, technical inspections are regularly carried out at a service station. Proper care extends the service life of the CLP, minor defects are easier to eliminate.
How to quickly and permanently remove rust from a car body
The appearance of rust on a car body is an unpleasant occurrence for every car owner. In this article we will tell you how to quickly and easily remove rust stains from a car body using available means. All methods are simple and effective, you can easily do them yourself.
Corrosion formation
Metal corrosion , or simply rust, appears as a result of metal oxidation under the influence of the environment. The main reason for its appearance is damage to the paint on the car body.
All resulting scratches and chips sooner or later become a source of rust formation, which gradually spreads deeper into the stain and over the entire larger surface area of the body.
The rate at which corrosion spreads depends on the aggressiveness of the environment and the condition of the body itself. For example, in the winter season it spreads many times faster.
It is much easier to deal with a single rust stain that has just appeared than with multiple “saffron caps” or an old stain where the metal is corroded almost completely.
The appearance of corrosion that is not yet visible to the eye is indicated by swelling of the paintwork. Such areas should be immediately cleared of old paint and cleaned.
Vulnerable places
The areas that experience the greatest mechanical stress are the most susceptible to corrosion. These include:
- thresholds are among the first to suffer from corrosion;
- hood - small pebbles from the vehicle in front provoke the appearance of numerous chips;
- wheel arches are constantly exposed to aggressive chemicals.
It is important to promptly detect emerging rust and eliminate it, preventing the further spread of corrosion. To do this, you need to know how you can deal with this unpleasant phenomenon yourself.
Corrosion Removal Methods
Corrosion can be eliminated in the following ways:
- Mechanical - used for severe corrosion, it involves removing rust by stripping down to metal, followed by priming, puttying and painting the area of the body being repaired;
Advantages of the method : elimination of large and deep stains, damage under swelling paint, as well as low cost and availability of necessary materials.
Disadvantages : length of the process.
- Chemical - involves using rust removers. Such reagents are widely represented on the modern market.
Advantages of the method: elimination of corrosion in hard-to-reach places, higher process speed.
Disadvantages: inability to use on heavily damaged areas.
Let's consider the process of eliminating corrosion using each of the methods presented above in more detail.
Step-by-step instruction
Before starting repair work, it is necessary to inspect the body and identify all problem areas. Assess the degree of damage and decide on a method to eliminate corrosion.
Tools and materials
Before starting work you need to prepare:
- grinder;
- sandpaper;
- degreaser;
- putty;
- primer;
- paint;
- car varnish;
- rust converter;
- masking tape;
- clean cloth.
Mechanical method
Removing rust stains mechanically is carried out in several stages:
- cleaning corrosion down to metal with sandpaper. The work can be done manually or using a power tool, such as a grinder. The stain should be cleaned gradually and carefully, avoiding rough scratches. It is important not to damage entire areas of the paintwork and to carry out 100% complete stripping down to “bare” metal.
- treating the prepared area of the body with a rust converter in order to eliminate the smallest corrosion residues that are not always visible to the eye.
- degreasing the surface after the converter ends (on average after half an hour);
- putty (carried out in several layers if necessary) and grinding of the treated surface;
- painting in body color (before painting, protect adjacent parts of the body with newspapers and masking tape and apply an anti-corrosion primer in 2-3 layers). Painting is also carried out in 2-3 layers, each thoroughly drying.
- application of clear varnish (if desired) for more reliable protection and a beautiful appearance.
The result of the work will depend entirely on compliance with all instructions and the correct execution of the work. If the technology is violated, for example, due to poor-quality cleaning or insufficient drying, the result of the work may be completely short-lived.
Watch a video on how to remove rust from a car in 10 minutes:
Chemical method
The significant difference between this method and the previous one lies only in the first stage - cleaning from rusty stains. Instead of mechanical cleaning, specialized chemicals are used. It can remove rust and prevent its further spread without damaging the metal.
As a rule, such preparations are applied to the problem area in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions for the specified time, after which the remaining product is wiped off or washed off.
However, to obtain an excellent and long-lasting result, you will also have to putty, sand and paint. When eliminating minor damage to the body, you can do without these steps.
Popular drugs
The most popular chemicals for removing rust from a car body with your own hands are:
- orthophosphoric acid is the most well-known remedy; it can be used in its pure form or be part of various chemistry;
- VSN-1 Neutralizer - easily copes with rust, turning it into a dark mass;
- zinc - a kit for removing rust and further galvanizing the metal by applying a special protective layer using an electrochemical method. Requires connection to battery. The process of working with the Zinkor product can be seen in detail in the video clip: