Cheap fix for Car rust?

[swick]

Hi Everyone,

Hubby was changing the tires on the car and the jack broke so the car rolled a bit and the front right frame got a little bent, it is okay structurally, but there is a crack in the paint which has started to rust. We should have got it fixed but there is no body shop in town.

I was wondering if anyone knows of any product we could buy to apply to that area and offer some protection?

Thanks!

[FunkyStickman]

You can spray some Rust-Oleum there, it will actually create a protective coating, preventing future rust. Make sure to clean the area with a wire brush or something first to knock off the lose dirt and rust, then spray a few coats on that area.

[Mr.Macinstache]

Actually you only need the Oleum since you already have the Rust.

Heh. I kid. That will get you by for about a few weeks... rust is a nasty little bugger. If you want something to stop the spread, get what is called POR-15. You can paint it on with a brush in the area, and then touch it up with some automotive rattle can paint of your choice. POR15 is amazing. Make sure to use gloves and prep the area first by sanding it down as well.

[Forcus]

I'm taking this is under the car? If so, wire brush (by hand is fine) the area, use Rustoleum Rusty Metal Primer then top with the color of your choice (I just use Rustoleum satin black. The rusty metal primer is very oily which helps keep rust from coming back. If we are talking exterior body panels I'd have some different ideas.

[swick]

Thanks for all the replies!

It is on the body, not underneath, right above the top of the front wheel. The frame is a little bit bent, and there is a tiny little gap when the door closes, but we were told it wasn't structural by a mechanic friend of ours.

[Forcus]

Thanks for all the replies!

It is on the body, not underneath, right above the top of the front wheel. The frame is a little bit bent, and there is a tiny little gap when the door closes, but we were told it wasn't structural by a mechanic friend of ours.

Ah I got it. By frame I take it you mean the bracing behind the actual sheetmetal of the fender. Makes sense now. How much do you care about how it looks? You can get it looking pretty good if you are willing to invest the time. It involves sanding, filling, painting, and buffing though. Been experimenting on my cars and its turning out pretty darn good at a fraction of the body shop price (which would be dumb to spend on a $2500 car).

[swick]

Ah I got it. By frame I take it you mean the bracing behind the actual sheetmetal of the fender. Makes sense now. How much do you care about how it looks?

We don't really care about how it looks, it would be nice to be able to do it properly, but winter is coming fast and we don't have a garage to work in. I think for now we are just looking for something to stop any more damage that is happening. Its a 05 Camry and we plan on running it into the ground so the aesthetics aren't too important, but we want the body to last as long as the engine:)

[Forcus]

Ah I got it. By frame I take it you mean the bracing behind the actual sheetmetal of the fender. Makes sense now. How much do you care about how it looks?

We don't really care about how it looks, it would be nice to be able to do it properly, but winter is coming fast and we don't have a garage to work in. I think for now we are just looking for something to stop any more damage that is happening. Its a 05 Camry and we plan on running it into the ground so the aesthetics aren't too important, but we want the body to last as long as the engine:)

Got it, well, I think the above comments would work fine. Sand ALL the rust off, use a dab of rust converter on the area, then prime and top coat. It can all be done by hand as well. Don't be too scared if the repaired area is much bigger than the original damage. That's just how it works.

[Greg]

Most rust-converter paints only work if there is rust left to "convert."  Best in this case is to sand any rust away, prime and fill the crack/sanded area, then top coat with automotive paint via rattle-can.

[swick]

Thank you all for your replies!

Just wondering, is there something specific we should be sanding with? This will all be new for us :)

[Forcus]

Most rust-converter paints only work if there is rust left to "convert."  Best in this case is to sand any rust away, prime and fill the crack/sanded area, then top coat with automotive paint via rattle-can.

That's true, I assumed there was some minor rust pits that would impossible to sand away.

Thank you all for your replies!

Just wondering, is there something specific we should be sanding with? This will all be new for us :)

I'd get some sheets of 80 grit sandpaper to take the rust off and 320 grit to blend the surrounding paint a little and make it less noticeable.