Any way to prevent rust from spreading?

[mmntech]

I had some body work done on my car about 5 years ago after some schmuck hit me in a parking lot. Well, the body shop must have used either inferior paint or metal. I've noticed the paint is starting to crack in spots and rust is starting to develop underneath. Looks like it's just on the surface metal so far. The car's about 9 years old and none of the stock Honda body panels have shown any signs of rust or paint damage.

Of course the only way to get rid of it would be to replace the body panel or sand it down. Which costs a lot of money. Is there any way I can prevent the rust from spreading in the time being? I've been putting wax over it, but this winter has just been killer with the road salt.

 

[thedarkwolf]

Well you can knock all the loose stuff off and cover it with por 15 or the like. It will look like crap but it should stop the rust from getting any worse as long as it is just surface rust.

 

[Jimzz]

If you have the receipt go back. Most shops will warrant their work if they are a decent shop.

But to stop it you must sand/grind it off and reseal it.

 

[bryanl]

I had some body work done on my car about 5 years ago after some schmuck hit me in a parking lot. Well, the body shop must have used either inferior paint or metal. I've noticed the paint is starting to crack in spots and rust is starting to develop underneath. Looks like it's just on the surface metal so far. The car's about 9 years old and none of the stock Honda body panels have shown any signs of rust or paint damage.

Cracked paint indicates lacquer, which is popular for spot repair, and lacquer is the most water permeable paint made, next to latex. About the only preventative measure you can take is to regularly apply silicone based wax from when the paint was new, but it's too late now, and the paint has to be removed.

Factory and aftermarket body panel comparisons:

 

[monkeydelmagico]

car cancer. Surface rust can be brought down to bare metal, primed, and painted. If it penetrates a panel you gotta cut/grind it out.

 

[halik]

car cancer. Surface rust can be brought down to bare metal, primed, and painted. If it penetrates a panel you gotta cut/grind it out.

About this. Not sure if hondas are galvanized, but generally bodywork means stripped zinc layer, which means rust prone.

 

[exdeath]

Cheapest fix you're going to get for the short term is sand/grind it to bare metal and rattle can it with primer, and making sure it's not feeding from the inside.