How To Protect Your Vehicle From Rust
Rust can cause a significant amount of structural damage to your car's body in a relatively short period of time, eating away at the metal and greatly increasing the risk of mechanical problems developing – not to mention ruining the appearance of your car. Understanding the different steps that you can take to proactively prevent rust from setting in can help extend the lifespan of your vehicle and ensure that it looks as good as possible for as long as possible.
Regular Washing
One of the most important things that you can do to keep your car's body rust-free, and also one of the easiest, is to wash it regularly. This removes dirt and other foreign substances which can damage your paint job and hold onto water, both of which are significant factors that can allow rust to set in. Washing every few weeks or whenever your vehicle seems particularly dirty is a good rule of thumb. You will also want to wax your car at least once a year, depending on the amount of use that it sees, to ensure that your paint has a protective finish on top of it.
Anti-Corrosion Spray
As a stopgap measure to help prevent rust from setting in, you may want to invest in anti-corrosion spray, which can be found at most hardware and automotive supply stores. This spray can inhibit the spread of rust, and is applied easily in an aerosol can.
Repairs and Repainting
If your vehicle has experienced some sort of damage which has cut through the paint on your vehicle's body and exposed the metal underneath, you should skip the spray and head straight to an auto repair shop. Ensuring that the paint job on your vehicle is unbroken keeps moisture from setting into the metal underneath, so don't put off repairs and repainting even if the accident itself is extremely minor.
Rust Removal
Finally, you should also inspect your vehicle fairly regularly to determine if rust has already set in. Pay particular attention to the areas around the wheel wells and the underside of your vehicle, as they are more likely to experience high levels of moisture. Catching rust early means that you can head to a mechanic or auto body shop immediately to have it sanded away and the problem area painted over to prevent further corrosion. Waiting can allow that rust to cause structural damage that can be harder or impossible to repair.
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