Preventing your car from rusting

Preventing rust on your car’s wheels or body is one of the most important things you can do to extend your car’s life. Rust occurs when the metal from your car is exposed to oxygen and water, which creates a chemical reaction called oxidation which creates iron oxide, or what we know as rust. Preventing rust from forming is extremely easy if you care for your vehicle over time.

First we’ll talk about preventing rust on your car’s wheels. Wheels are often made of chrome, a metal known not to rust. However, when the chrome breaks down and forms tiny holes that you can’t even see, rust starts to invade. To remove rust off your car’s chrome wheels we’ll start with Brasso. This is a great polishing agent and will also remove any corrosion you have. Benefits to Brasso include a beautiful shine on your car’s chrome and you will not scratch the chrome. Other quicker methods include diet cola and aluminum foil to remove rust from chrome wheels. However this method leaves it more vulnerable in the future to rust, so we’re going to stick with the Brasso method.

You also have to protect the body of your car from rust. Cleaning spots that are known to rust the fastest is a great way to prevent against corrosion. For instance, around the wheels and on the bottom of your car’s body is where rocks and other debris collide with your car’s paint the most. Once the paint is stripped away the metal on your car’s body is exposed to oxygen. To prevent these knicks from rusting you need to paint over them with touch up paint. You don’t want to go overboard with the paint, just apply it to the area that contains no paint, nothing more.

Video demonstrates how removing rust from your car is as easy as painting

Rubber underside coating is another great way to prevent your car from rusting. This is a thick spray meant for the bottom or underside of your car. It’s meant to be applied to around the wheels where your car’s body ends and the wheel wells begin. This is a high rust area which must be paid attention to regularly. The spray can also be applied to large rust areas on the bottom of your car as well. It will coat the metal and prevent it from rusting more than it already has. However, we can’t stress enough this is only for the bottom of the car because the spray will not match your paint color, it only comes in black. This option should only be used if the rust is out of control and spreading rapidly.

Rust decreases the value of your car drastically. It can make even the newest of cars look aged and weathered. Preventing rust not only makes your vehicle last longer, but it helps maintain the car’s appeal and value. Simply cleaning high rust stain areas can be a great way to keep your car rust free for a long time. Don’t let rust get its foot in the door because once it starts, it’s harder to stop.