YACT: How to touch up rust spots?

[Sureshot324]

I have some small rust spots on my car (1/8" - 1/2" in diameter). They've mostly been there since I got the car over a year ago. I got some touchup paint from a toyota dealership, but my main concern is removing the rust before applying the paint.

I tried sanding it, but this is difficult since the spots are so small. Does the spot need to be completely free of rust before I apply the touchup paint? Because this doesn't seem possible with sand paper alone.

Anyone have some tips? Would I be better off just taking it to a body shop?

 

[iamwiz82]

Use an angle grinder (or dremel with a similar attachment) to remove all of the rust, then clean the metal, apply primer, apply paint, apply clear coat.

 

[clickynext]

Originally posted by: Sureshot324
I have some small rust spots on my car (1/8" - 1/2" in diameter). They've mostly been there since I got the car over a year ago. I got some touchup paint from a toyota dealership, but my main concern is removing the rust before applying the paint.

I tried sanding it, but this is difficult since the spots are so small. Does the spot need to be completely free of rust before I apply the touchup paint? Because this doesn't seem possible with sand paper alone.

Anyone have some tips? Would I be better off just taking it to a body shop?

It does need to be completely rust free and cleaned off, and you most likely will need to remove some good paint around the bad spot to get it all clean.

 

[nwfsnake]

They make a special rust remover pen just for your type of problem. It has many small fiberglass threads that stick out. You rub it on each rust spot to remove rust, wipe clean, then apply touch up paint. I am pretty sure I purchased mine at Wal-Mart. 🙂

 

[FeuerFrei]

Doesn't hurt to do it yourself. If you aren't satisfied take it to a body shop.

Maybe use a pencil eraser to remove rust.

 

[NaOH]

sand it down, primer, repaint. Take it to a body shop. That's probably what they are going to do.

 

[BD2003]

You can get a product called "rust converter", that will turn the rust into a paintable surface. Cheap stuff too.

 

[Sureshot324]

Originally posted by: nwfsnake
They make a special rust remover pen just for your type of problem. It has many small fiberglass threads that stick out. You rub it on each rust spot to remove rust, wipe clean, then apply touch up paint. I am pretty sure I purchased mine at Wal-Mart. 🙂

That sounds like exactly what I need. Is there any chemical product that helps get the rust off without risk of damaging the surrounding paint?

 

[Evadman]

Cut out rust + 1". Weld patch.

That is the only way you will remove it. Paint doesn't work for long, neither does said 'rust converter' There is a reason rust is also called 'cancer'.

 

[Pacfanweb]

Originally posted by: BD2003
You can get a product called "rust converter", that will turn the rust into a paintable surface. Cheap stuff too.

This is what you need to do. Rust Mort is a brand that comes to mind. POR 15 is another.

 

[Pacfanweb]

Originally posted by: Evadman
Cut out rust + 1". Weld patch.

That is the only way you will remove it. Paint doesn't work for long, neither does said 'rust converter' There is a reason rust is also called 'cancer'.

The converter will work permanently if the rust is just surface rust.

That stuff, like Rust Mort and POR 15 really works, forever if it's done right. There's a reason that professional restorers use it.

 

[Sureshot324]

Originally posted by: Pacfanweb

Originally posted by: Evadman
Cut out rust + 1". Weld patch.

That is the only way you will remove it. Paint doesn't work for long, neither does said 'rust converter' There is a reason rust is also called 'cancer'.

The converter will work permanently if the rust is just surface rust.

That stuff, like Rust Mort and POR 15 really works, forever if it's done right. There's a reason that professional restorers use it.

Thanks for the info, but since it's just small spots it's most likely just surface rust, so it would made more sense to just remove it, no?