Car rust isn’t just a cosmetic eyesore—it can actually cause major structural problems when left to spread across a vehicle’s body, undercarriage or engine bay. Fortunately, stopping automotive rust dead in its tracks is entirely possible. Let’s discuss some of the ways to go about preventing and treating car rust before expensive repairs are needed.

The Science Behind Rust

Before we teach you how to prevent car rust and treat vehicle oxidation, you should understand why and how your car became rusty.

Although lightweight and durable, iron does have a kryptonite: Corrosion. When iron alloys and metals are exposed to water and oxygen, they begin to chemically break down and corrode. This is called oxidation. The act of oxidation converts the iron into reddish iron oxide, or as most people call it, rust.

Rust damage is often the result of regular exposure to rain or snow and road salt. Older vehicles are more prone to corrosion due to their age, of course, and the materials that were used in their construction.

The most common types of automotive rust include:

Surface Rust

As it’s frequently caused by unfixed scratches and dents, bird droppings, tree sap, or extreme exposure to the sun, surface rust is the most common form of car rust. Sometimes, surface rust may not even be the classic red color, either; it may simply look like faded paint.

How can you remove surface rust from a car? Fixing surface rust on an automotive body usually involves sanding, repainting and adding a protective coating.

Rust Scaling or Bubbling

When surface rust expands, it can begin to scale or bubble as it eats deeper into the vehicle’s body. At this point, metal will start to corrode and form holes, which are commonly most visible along vehicle skirts and undercarriages—places that are exposed to water and road chemicals.

Rust flakes and bubbles are more difficult to treat than surface spots, though it can still be done.

Penetrating Rust or Corrosion

If you start noticing rust spots turn into holes, you’re at the last stage of oxidation.

How can you fix major rust on a car? Repairing car corrosion is quite difficult, oftentimes even impossible, so you may have to replace full panels to treat the problem. In some cases, rust may compromise your car’s frame, which is a safety concern that may total your vehicle.

Once at any of these stages, iron oxide spreads rapidly, which is why car rust prevention is key. (As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.)

Car Rust Prevention Tips

While galvanized iron, surface plating and other anti-corrosive treatments do help stop automotive rust, they aren’t foolproof. Augment those common treatments and keep your vehicle rust-free with dedication and a bit of elbow grease. Here are some tips on how to prevent rust under your car and on the body:

Wash & Wax

The best way to stop rust on a car entirely is to give it some regular TLC. A good hand washing once every month—or even more frequently if you live in humid conditions—can remove corrosive chemicals, salt and other debris that could contribute to oxidation. Read more great car-washing tips here.

When washing your car, be sure to pressure wash the undercarriage and pay particular attention to these rust-prone areas:

• Under body moldings and trims
• Around door seals
• Headlights and taillights
• Side mirrors
• Antenna
• Sunroof (and its seal)
• Wheel wells
• Muffler area

Once or twice per year, reapply car wax or ceramic coating to the exterior and undercarriage. You can go a step further and add WD-40 and a dedicated anti-rust or rustproof coating, which is almost essential if you live in South Florida. (Salt water is one of the main drivers of car rust problems!)

Need help figuring out what to buy and how to apply protective vehicle waxes? We have a great article detailing some of the best automotive wax products for luxury cars.

Replace Door Seals

If your door’s rubber seals are fraying, chipped or altogether falling apart, get them replaced. Water and moisture can leak in and collect inside your frame, and you may not even notice it until you begin to see rust holes along the skirt. You should also check your car door drain holes to see if they need to be replaced or cleaned/unclogged.

While you’re at it, consider investing in good rubber OEM floormats to prevent moisture from soaking into your carpeting and through to the metal underneath. Any auto service center or car body shop near you can help you order and replace these parts.

Constant Protection

Whenever possible, keep your vehicle away from common rust-causing elements:

• Park in a garage or, at the very least, in the shade instead of in direct sunlight.
• Steer clear of areas that are frequented by birds and seagulls, as bird poop is acidic enough to eat away at car paint and wax.
• Don’t park or drive in big puddles or near bodies of water, specifically salt water.
• Avoid dings by parking far enough away from other vehicles.
• Do not place heavy or hard-surface items on the roof without extra protection.

Repair Car Dents & Scratches ASAP

Automotive paint and protective layers are there for a reason—they keep salt and water from contacting and corroding metal. Any time your car paint is removed, whether it’s a small dent or large chip, that metal is now exposed and at risk of rusting.

The solution to this is simple: Visit an auto paint shop near you. In many instances, small car dents and scratches can be patched up with paintless dent repair (PDR), which is both a cheap and fast process. Contact our Miami body shop for an estimate.

Instead of letting corrosion run rampant and paying auto body shops thousands of dollars for vehicle rust treatment and repair, spend a fraction of that by keeping up with routine auto maintenance and cleanings.

Still Need Car Rust Repair?

Even taking every preventative step above, you may still notice your vehicle developing rust spots. When this occurs, your goal is to remove rust from the car entirely so that it doesn’t continue to spread—which it will if it’s not caught and fixed early! That’s why it’s important to go to a professional body shop that specializes in rust repair.

At Braman Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Miami, our body shop and collision center offers automotive rust treatment service that can fix anything from small rust spots on a car hood to extensive undercarriage corrosion. Contact our luxury car dealership and repair shop at (786) 577-5217 to schedule an appointment or request assistance from a member of our service team.