Rust isn’t just an unsightly addition to your vehicle. If left unchecked and untreated, it can quickly compromise the wider structural integrity of your car, with ongoing exposure to moisture and oxygen leading to a chemical reaction that literally eats away at your bodywork, frame, undercarriage and other components. The continuing formation of rust, and the damage it causes, may even make your vehicle unsafe to drive as well as result in costly repairs.

Don’t leave rust to make a meal of your vehicle, use the following tips to get your car back to its best.

Identify the type of rust you’re dealing with

There are three distinct types of rust and each calls for different treatment/removal methods. Surface rust is the least sinister; as the name suggests, it affects the outermost layer of the metal surface causing mostly cosmetic damage. Scale rust penetrates a little deeper, and is the stage where the structural integrity of your car may become compromised.

Penetrating rust causes particularly extensive damage and makes repair or even complete replacement of parts necessary.

Remove troublesome rust at home by hand

The most common treatments can be undertaken at home, with a small investment in a wire brush or sandpaper all that’s generally required to scrape, grind or scour away surface rust found across small areas. If you have a larger area of rust to tackle or more severe rust to get rid of, an angle grinder will make lighter work of removal.

Equip your angle grinder with a grinding disc or flap wheel for the best results, taking care not to grind too deeply.

Call on chemical removers to dissolve rust spots

Chemical removers can also be used to eradicate rust and preserve the integrity of your vehicle.  Some removers actually convert rust, causing a chemical reaction that makes removal from trickier to reach areas easy. Others use phosphoric or oxalic acid for similar results.

Bring in the professionals to resolve rust problems

There are several professional treatments for the effective removal of rust. Electrolysis utilises electrical current to restore rust affected areas, whilst sand, soda or glass bead blasting can also smooth rusted surfaces. Heat treatment offers a quick and easy way to break down rust when administered by professionals too.

Raid the kitchen cupboards for rust remedies

For small areas affected by surface rust, you may just have the remedy you need in your kitchen cupboard! White vinegar, baking soda paste or a mix of lemon juice and salt are all popular DIY treatments for rusted car parts.