Understanding Automotive Paint Products

3 Tips for Dealing with Rust When Doing Auto Restoration Projects

22 January 2018

Stanley Garcia

When doing an auto restoration, you are going to need to deal with different types of problems. One of the issues that you may have to deal with is rust, which can vary in severity. You have options to repair rusted parts, replace them and use aftermarket parts. Here are some of the different options to consider for dealing with rust when doing an auto restoration:

1. Light Rust Repairs & Preventing Corrosion

Often, the rust damage that you must deal with is just on the surface. First, you will want to remove the rust and prevent it from coming back. Sand and scrub the rust of with wire wool and use grease or paint to protect the metal. If the area where the rust is exposed raw metal, consider using a metal primer to prevent wear. If the rusted metal is near moving parts and cannot be painted, use old motor oil to paint it and prevent rust. This is a task that will have to be repeated regularly to ensure that the exposed metal is protected from rust and corrosion.

2. Patching & Replacing Severe Rust Problems

You may want to consider patching severe rust problems for your auto restoration. If you want to have all original parts, using a filler to patch holes and damage is often a good solution for dealing with rust. Before patching rust holes with an auto body filler, you want to make sure to clean and remove any rust to prevent further damage to the part. Once you have filler the damaged area, you will need to sand it smooth to blend it into the surface of the original metal on the body.

3. Aftermarket Parts to Deal with Severe Rust Problems & Weight

Sometimes, rust has done so much damaged to parts that they have to be completely replaced. You have a couple of options for these repairs, which include finding original parts or using aftermarket replacements. If you choose to use aftermarket parts, you also have the option of modern materials like fiberglass and carbon fiber materials, which will help reduce the weight of your car. By reducing the overall weight of your car, you will also be improving the fuel-efficiency and performance of your car.

These are some of the different options that you will want to consider for dealing with rust when doing an auto restoration. Contact an auto body repair service like Sam's Automotive Reconditioning Center to help with major rust issues, repairs and painting to complete your classic auto restoration project. 

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