Kill Rust Before it Takes Hold on Your Car
Rust. It’s everywhere. Your privacy fence, kitchen utensils, and garden tools might look sleek and shiny now, but expose them to the elements and ugly red spots will show up on the surface several days later. If you live near the ocean or in an area that receives a high amount of rainfall, then your car may develop rust after many years of use.
It’s only normal for rust to develop on your car when exposed to the elements. What is not normal is for corrosion to completely take over that Ford Escape that you bought 4 years ago that it now looks like you bought it in 1997. So here are some of the best rust-proofing tips our expert panel beaters at GM Smash Repairs can offer to keep your car from becoming a rust bucket.
Wash your car regularly
Prevent a speck of rust from appearing on your car in the first place by washing it regularly. But how often should you wash your car? Experienced car owners recommend that washing your car once a week would suffice. If you drive the car on a dusty road every day, then it makes sense to wash it as often as needed.
A caveat, though: tap water contains minerals that can cause corrosion if you wash your car more often than is recommended. To prevent mineral buildup, make sure that you completely dry every inch (yes, including the plastic and rubber parts) of your car with a lint-free cloth after washing it.
Apply wax on your car
Applying wax to your car is a great way to keep it rust-proof for many years. Wax adds another layer of protection to your car, as well as gives it that beautiful shine that many car owners covet. The tools and materials you’ll need include a container of paste or liquid car wax, a sponge, and a microfiber cloth or chamois. Using a sponge, apply some wax on the surface of the car in a circular motion.
Once the wax is applied all over your car, buff it with a chamois or microfiber cloth. You can also use a random orbit buffer to apply liquid and paste wax, but keep in mind that you can only apply paste wax by hand. You can do this on your own, or have let a local auto detail service provider do this for you.
Get it fixed as soon as possible
You’ve washed your car weekly, dried it zealously, and you’ve waxed it until you can see your reflection on the hood. The bad news is a speck of rust still appeared on one of the doors on the passenger’s side. In this case, the best thing to do is to go to your local auto detailing shop and have it addressed immediately.
Replace rusted parts that can be replaced
If rust has completely taken over a car part and it’s not too difficult for you or your panel beaters to replace it, then it’s best to address it sooner than later. Remember that an ounce of prevention is still better than a pound of cure.
