How to Protect Your Car from Rust
Is your car showing signs of rust? Rust in your car can cause the paint to flake and fall off, and can cause lasting damage to your engine, brakes, and wheels. Your car is at the most risk of developing rust spots during the winter, when snow and ice mix with road salt that gets deep into the nooks and crevices of your vehicle. Luckily there are ways to prevent the buildup of rust on your car.
Look for signs of car rust
- Flaking and peeling paint will fall away to reveal a rusted car body.
- Look for “bubbles” in the paint’s surface. This means the paint has pulled away from the metal and will begin to flake.
- Rust is most common in corners and anywhere two pieces of metal meet and can hold moisture, such as joints and your bumper.
- Your car’s undercarriage is especially vulnerable to rust in the winter, when road salt and ice can build up.
If you do spot these signs of rust on your car, don’t ignore them! Rust spreads and grows over time, causing further damage to your car. Contact a professional body shop to help remove the rust and repair the damage.
How to Prevent Rust
1. Wash your car regularly
Keeping your car clean is the key to preventing the buildup of moisture and debris, which can lead to rust. Wash your car at least once a month, especially if you live near the ocean or an area that sees wintery weather. Salt from the roads and in the air promote the growth of rust.
2. Clean up spills
Spills get harder to clean the longer you leave them. Mop up any spills on or inside your car as quickly as possible. Moisture from spills can collect in hard to reach areas, allowing rust to build.
3. Wash the undercarriage
If you’ve been driving in snow and ice, chances are you have a buildup of road salt, brine, and other chemicals used to keep the roads safe. Unfortunately these chemicals also promote rust if they aren’t removed from your car. An automatic car wash will have water jets that will rinse your car’s undercarriage.
4. Apply car wax
Waxing your car will give it a great shine, but it also protects your car from damage caused by sunlight, moisture, and debris. Try to wax your car at least twice per year.
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