Rust? That’s a kiss of death for many cars. It doesn’t matter if you have an expensive ride; it can make it look beat-up. It impacts not just the appearance but also the resale value.
What’s even scary is that rust can spread quickly. Over time, when left untreated, that surface damage can make your driving experience unsafe. Ignore the signs, and your car might split up in the middle of the road and die an early death.
GIA warns Sydney drivers about the true risks. Understand what causes rust, the vehicle rust damage, and the car rust removal process.
What Causes Rust on Cars?
Moisture and oxygen cause rust via chemical reaction. This interaction is rampant in coastal areas with high humidity and salt content.
A metal panel that is poorly repaired invites oxidation to take place and turn a beautiful car into a rusty beater.
Your vehicle has protective coatings that act as a barrier against environmental terrors. However, chips in paint or scratches expose the metal underneath. This is a vulnerability that results in vehicle rust damage.
Types of Rust
Surface Rust
This is the earliest phase of rust formation, which is a milder form of corrosion. These are the few reddish-brown spots that you might quickly dismiss as dirt. Since the issue is less severe, it can be fixed with sanding and repainting.
Scale Rust
Now, this type of rust is scaly and eats deeper into the metal. It happens when you leave the surface rust unattended; it feasts further into your car’s metal. This will require cutting or patching to fix the affected panel.
Penetrating Rust
This is the advanced stage of your car’s rusty issue. Penetrating rust is a car body rust which eats the metal fully and creates holes in your vehicle’s body.
As such, your car’s structure has already been compromised; thus, fixing the problem requires extensive bodywork.
Why Rust Shouldn’t Be Ignored
Weakens panels and frame
Rust gnaws at the metal of your car, deteriorating the strength of its panel and frame. This makes your vehicle weak and easy to break, especially against accidents.
Increases accident risk (especially in structural areas)
Rust wears down the construction elements of your car, which compromises its ability and safety features. During an accident, the risk of injury is high.
Spreads rapidly
The rust in your car is not static—it spreads like wildfire, especially in humid environments. With time, these few rusty spots grow quickly, corroding larger sections of the surface.
Reduces resale value
No buyer is going to buy your rusty antic of a car—that’s a waving red flag. Even if the rust is not within the structural areas, the repairs will be too expensive too bear.
Could lead to failed inspections or registration issues
In some cities, rust on vehicles easily fails inspection standards. If that happens, you’ll have a difficult time completing your registration. Thus, you will not be able to drive your rusty car because it’s not roadworthy.
Signs You Might Have Rust Damage
Paint Bubbling
The first sign that there’s rust growing beneath your car is bubbling paint. When moisture seeps into the chipped paint, oxidations start to happen. These bubbles are usually seen on the door edges and underside of your car.
Orange or Brown Streaks Around Seams or Undercarriage
Those orange or brown streams that appear on your car’s seams and undercarriage are surface rust.
Cracking Paint
When the paint cracks, rust is beginning to build. This is induced when your car is too exposed to road debris, especially on the bottom of your car.
Weak Areas in Floor or Doors
Are you hearing a crunching sound when you touch certain spots in your car? This noise is the sound of your vehicle’s structural weaknesses. Surefire, rust is most definitely chewing through the metal.
GIA’s Professional Rust Repair Sydney Process
Here’s how we streamline our rust repair Sydney process:
- Inspection and Assessment
Our skilled crew deeply evaluates your rust damage. Whatever type of rust is invading your vehicle, we will come up with the best course of action.
- Car Rust Removal
Depending on the problem, we leverage different techniques to wipe away the rust. From grinding and cutting to replacing panels, we will efficiently restore your car’s structural integrity.
- Rust-Proofing Materials and Coatings
Once the rust is successfully removed, we apply protective coatings to prevent future corrosion.
- Seamless Repainting and Refinishing
Our team of experts leverages advanced colour-matching technology to ensure the existing colour blends well with the new paint. We also add clear coating to ensure a seamless and durable finish.
- Warranty Provided on Rust Work
We stand by our work, and that confidence reflects on our warranty. All our rust work has a warranty, giving you peace of mind.
How to Prevent Rust on Your Car
Wash regularly
Washing your car routinely prevents oxidation, especially the underside. When your vehicle is polished and dry, undercarriage rust can’t take form.
Promptly fix paint chips or scratches
Preventive maintenance is something that you shouldn’t overlook. This is very crucial in your car rust removal agenda.
Be vigilant about checking and fixing the issues in your wheels. Repair the blemishes right away before they can slowly turn to rust.
Apply protective coatings or rust-proofing sprays
It’s always better to tackle the issue before they grow and become bigger problems. That’s the kind of mindset we want you to embody when dealing with rust.
Use rust-proofing products as a permanent protection against corrosion. These coatings are specifically designed to add a protective layer for your metal.
Avoid leaving your car in salty or humid conditions
Don’t expose your car to environments that are salty or humid. These components are highly corrosive and can fast-track rust development.
If you really have to drive under these conditions, clean your car meticulously afterward, especially in the lower sections. You can hose it down to remove the salt content in the nooks and crannies.
Final Thoughts
Rust isn’t just hideous to look at—it’s also very dangerous. As a car owner, you should pay close attention to the early signs of rusting. In doing so, you can take early action, saving you money and keeping your vehicle roadworthy.
Remember, letting rust take over your car is a nail in the coffin for your precious vehicle. Schedule a rust inspection with GIA Smash Repairs—your trusted panel rust Sydney expert.