Repairing Guides

how to repair a rust hole in your car

by Miller Gaylord Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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  1. Remove all of the rust until you get to solid body. ...
  2. Apply rust primer. Paint the border of the hole you have created with a rust resistant primer or rust converter. ...
  3. Even out the edges of the hole. If necessary, tap the edges of the hole inwards with a small ball-peen hammer down to the level of the body ...
  4. Prepare your fiberglass resin repair kit. Mix the resin and the hardener per the instructions that came with the kit. ...
  5. Apply a layer of fiberglass mat. Put a layer of fiberglass mat across the hole, from behind the hole. ...
  6. Apply the fiberglass resin. Use the plastic applicator that comes with the kit to apply the fiberglass resin to the matting. ...
  7. Sand the layer with 180-grit sandpaper until smooth. Then apply another layer of resin and repeat until the rusty spot is filled and the fiberglass resin is even ...
  8. Sand the final layer with 180-grit sandpaper until smooth
  9. Apply a layer of spray on primer over the spot
  10. Paint the spot using an identical paint color to the rest of the car. Paint should be applied with a spray gun. ...

Part of a video titled How to Repair Rust Holes on Your Car Without Welding
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This one area though is just a big giant rust hole like you can just pull this stuff off it'sMoreThis one area though is just a big giant rust hole like you can just pull this stuff off it's literally falling off so we're gonna you know do the old bondo repaint it prime it all that good stuff.

How do I stop rust from spreading on my car?

Surface rust

  • The first step is to prep your car. Cover the car with the plastic sheet to protect it from the fine dust that will blow momentarily. ...
  • Next, don your gear. ...
  • Commence sanding. ...
  • Once the shiny metal has been exposed, clean the area again with the wax and grease remover. ...
  • Using rust prevention paint is recommended as you will not need a separate primer. ...

How to remove small rust spots in a car?

Why These Tiny Rust Spots Create on Your Car?

  1. Identify the Spots. First thing first, you need to know and locate the areas where these rusts had taken place. ...
  2. Wash the Affected Area. The rust affected area need to be washed at this stage. ...
  3. Prepare the Area for Painting. ...
  4. Learn the Color label of Your Car. ...

How to repair rust on your car without welding?

  • How These Adhesives Work
  • How They Can Save You Money
  • How You Can Use Them Yourself

How do you fix a rust spot on a car?

Treat the exposed metal with a rust inhibitor.

  • Rust inhibitor tends to dry quickly. Wait a minute or two for it to dry before moving on.
  • Follow the instructions on the spray can of rust inhibitor you choose to make sure you apply it correctly.
  • You can get rust inhibitor at any hardware or auto parts store.

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How do you fix a big rust hole without welding?

9 Steps to Follow When Fixing Holes Using Fiberglass and Metal MeshRemove the Rust Around the Hole by Sanding It. ... Cut Around the Damaged Spot Slightly. ... Fill the Hole Using Metal Sheets. ... Add Bondo Glass Stratum. ... Sand the Spot. ... Utilize the Bondo Body Filler That's Within the Accepted Range. ... Use Automobile Primer. ... Paint the Spot.More items...•

Are rust holes fixable?

As long as these rust holes go untreated, they will continue to expand. Fixing a rust hole in your car requires first removing the rust and any affected metal, and then filling the hole with a fibreglass body filler. From there, it's just a matter of giving the repaired area a finish that you're happy with.

How do you fix a hole in a car metal?

Adhesive or aluminum tape is an easy and fast solution, especially for auto body damage. You can also paint it over to hide the repair work. However, if you use adhesive tape to repair holes in a car body or any other metal type, that's considered a transient solution.

How much does a rust hole cost to fix?

Major repairs could cost as little as $200, or as much as $2,500+, depending on the extent of the damage and how much labor will be required....Cost to Fix Rust on a Car.Minor Rust Repairs$20 - $150Medium-Sized Rust Repairs$150 - $350Major Rust Repairs$400 - $2,500+

How do you fill a rust hole in metal?

Epoxy and tape are two common no-weld hole repair options. These do-it-yourself approaches are effective when repairing a small hole rather than a significant tear. Specialty epoxy and tape products are designed to patch steel and metal.

How does Bondo fix rust holes?

0:502:07How To Repair A Rust Out with Bondo® Filler - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipStart with a thin skimp coat and then apply enough filler. So that it's slightly higher than theMoreStart with a thin skimp coat and then apply enough filler. So that it's slightly higher than the surrounding. Area. Let the filler dry. Completely shape and sand the repair with 40 grit sandpaper.

How do you fill a car body hole?

0:273:13Fill holes or dents in car bodywork - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipMake some fiberglass paste with the correct amount of hardener. And apply the paste behind the holesMoreMake some fiberglass paste with the correct amount of hardener. And apply the paste behind the holes pressing. It home firmly.

How can I cover a hole in my car?

1:3614:03How to patch up holes in body panels - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipImportant to put some tape over. The back of the hole. So that none of the product goes through andMoreImportant to put some tape over. The back of the hole. So that none of the product goes through and all over your boot lid or the panel that you're patching up. Now that the holes are all sanded.

Is it worth fixing rust on a car?

In the majority of these situations where important equipment necessary for the automobile's functioning is impacted, repairing rust is not worth it due to the danger of driving a vehicle with weakened structures.

Does Maaco fix rust holes?

Your local Maaco shop helps with repair and maintenance, including rust repairs. Before that point, here are some useful tips to prevent the spread of rust: Check your vehicle regularly for new scratches and dents, as this is where rust is likely to form.

Can you paint over rust on a car?

Yes, you can spray paint over rust. Before you paint, take the time to prepare your surface properly.

Is it worth fixing rusted rocker panels?

Connecting new rocker panels will prolong the lifespan of your pickup truck and keep it on the road for a long time. As soon as damage and corrosion occur, it's good to tackle it instantly. It stops rust from gaining a foothold and leading to considerable damage.

How much does it cost to fix fender rust?

If the damage is more extensive, and you have to go to a mechanic, you can expect to pay anywhere from $200 to $2,000.

How long does rust repair last?

Short-term rust repairs and long-term rust repairs are like day and night. And even best efforts sometimes fail to make a long-term rust repair last longer than six months.

What to do if your car has rust?

If your car has rust on structural components — basically, anything that supports weight or is part of the car’s suspension or it’s supporting structure — then you’re strongly advised to get help from a qualified mechanic or body shop.

How to find the right paint for a car?

Your parts store can help you find the right paint for your car. Step 1: Prepare your workspace. You’ll need an appropriate space to do the work, which ideally means a garage or similar structure, as you won’t want to be outside once the painting begins.

What to wear for a lungs repair?

Other clothing: Long pants and a long-sleeved shirt are a good idea for this repair, even in hot weather.

Is sandpaper needed to remove rust?

Sandpaper, 180-grit. Note: Chemical rust remove is not necessary, but can help ensure that you’ve gotten all the rust, which is absolutely necessary if you don’t want it to return. It’s also possible to use this instead of a grinder, if your rust isn’t extensive; follow the manufacturer’s directions.

Can a rust spot be inspected?

In many states a car with rust holes in the body won’t pass inspection, regardless where the spots are located or how serious they are. For these and other reasons, ...

Does rust go away on its own?

For these and other reasons, if your car has body rust it’s best to deal with the problem, because it’s certainly not going to go away on its own. While patching a hole caused by rust is not too difficult, it does take some patience, especially if you want to repaint the vehicle yourself.

Step 1: Scrape and Sand

The first step was to scrape off the loose paint surrounding the rust spot, and to sand off most of the rust. I found, under the outer layer of metal, what I thought were additional layers of rusted, chipping metal, was actually dense foam padding. I scraped the rest of the metal chips off of the foam.

Step 2: Building Up (part 1)

At this point, I used a metal mesh body patch (bondo brand) to fill the hole, replace the missing metal, and give the bondo a place to adhere to. Using regular scissors, I cut the mesh to approximately the right shape, and then began fitting it into the hole between the metal and the foam.

Step 3: Building Up (part 2)

The next step was patching the hole with bondo body filler. This was interesting, as I'd never used the stuff before. It comes with two parts, the body filler putty (grey), and the hardener cream (red), which you mix together, and then apply. The instructions say to use a golf-ball sized amount of putty and an inch and a half of hardener.

Step 4: Primer

The next step was to apply a primer over the patch. I used a self etching, sandable primer, and followed the instructions on the can. I taped over the edges while I was working. Once I was done, I used a 600 grit sandpaper to soften the edge of the primer, and roughen the surrounding paint. That's me sanding.

Step 5

The final step was painting. The first color I used wasn't right.

Step 6: Final Result

So there you go. My first attempt at auto body repair. It turned out pretty well, in my humble opinion. I learned a lot. It cost me about $60 in supplies, and some of my time over the course of three days. My husband's pretty pleased about my little present to him, and I'm proud of myself for figuring it out.

How to bond rust holes?

To get started, the body filler needs something to stick to. Rough-sanded bare metal is best, but primed metal will do. A rust converter should be used to prepare rust-pitted surfaces for body filler. Rust converter stops the oxidation process that creates rust and prevents the rust from spreading.

What to use to fill rusty bondo?

Fiberglass sheets, metal mesh or fiberglass screen can be used. Once you have a good surface to work with, mix body filler with a spatula or plastic scraper on a piece of cardboard.

What is Bondo rust?

While “Bondo” is the name of a 3M product, it has also become a generic term for plastic body filler, and several companies make similar stuff.

How long does it take to sand a car body?

After 15 to 20 minutes, use coarse sandpaper (30 to 60 grit) to shape the repair and feather it to the surrounding body surface. After another 30 to 40 minutes, the surface should be ready for final sanding with 180 to 300 grit paper. After cleaning the dust from the surface, you’re ready to prime and paint.

Is rust a fact?

Rust is simply a fact of life. It tends to be a constant issue close to the shore, in humid areas and in the salt belt. Even a chip from a stone can give rust a foothold on your car and lead to cosmetic or structural damage.

Can you rust a car?

There are some parts of your vehicle that may never rust, but other parts might seem like they could turn to dust right before your eyes without proper attention. Fortunately, if you catch the rust in time, you can prevent unsightly body damage or unsafe structural problems.

Can you use bondo on rust holes?

However, Bondo shouldn’t be used on every kind of rust hole.

What is the best way to protect sheet metal from rust?

Another good idea when replacing any type of sheet metal is using weld-through primer. This high-zinc paint helps protect the backside of the sheet metal from rusting, a very important step in the restoration process, this is something most people forget, and they end up with rust bubble just a few years down the road.

Why do you need a cut off wheel?

There are a few tools that take a lot of the pain out of this type of procedure. You need a cut-off wheel to remove the offending material in a clean manner. Usually there is something behind the rusted area, so you need to be careful not to cut through it. The cut-off wheel gives you the control.

What year was the rusty trunk lid on a Buick GS convertible?

To demonstrate this process, we cut out and repaired some rust bubbles in the trunk lid of a 1971 Buick GS convertible. This is the kind of rust you find under those little bubbles in the paint. We started by stripping the trunk of paint.

Is it hard to weld rust on a car?

Take your time and practice before you actually weld on your car. Rust repair is not that hard, but it is really easy to make a bigger problem if you get ahead of yourself and bite off more than your skills can handle. The key here is patience and when in doubt, seek professional help.

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