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how to repair auto body rust holes

by Dr. Harmony Mohr DDS 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 to repair a rust hole in your car?

Part 1 Part 1 of 4: Removing the Rust Download Article

  1. Put on work gloves and eye protection. Rust is highly likely to flake as you grind it off of the metal.
  2. Remove the paint 2 inches (5 cm) around the rust with a drill fitted with a wire brush. ...
  3. Cut the affected metal away from the hole with tin snips or a grinder. ...
  4. Treat the exposed metal with a rust inhibitor. ...

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How do you fix a rust hole in a car?

Patching rust holes

  • Bridging the gap. Cut a piece of the expanded metal to the shape of the hole, but about 1 in (25mm) larger all round. ...
  • Laying up the glass fibre. Cut a piece of glass-fibre mat the same shape as the hole, but 1/4in. (6mm) larger, and lay it behind the hole.
  • Using a filler-fibre mixture. Put the plastic sheet over the hole and tape down one side. ...

How do you fix rust holes?

Use 80-grit sandpaper to remove all of the paint and rust.

  • This part can take awhile, so make things easier by using power tools. For instance, switch to an orbital sander and an angle.
  • You can also use tools like a flathead screwdriver or tin snips to break off rusty sections of metal. ...
  • You could also use a wire brush to scrub away metal. ...

How to fix rust hole?

To fix rust holes on your car, you’ll need to get rid of all the rust first. Remove all of the paint around the hole with a wire brush attachment on your drill. You’ll also need to cut away the affected metal with a grinder or tin snips.

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How do you fix rust holes in body panels?

0:2016:15HOW TO REPAIR RUST HOLES IN BODY PANELS, SHEET METAL ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe new piece into the old piece which is where you lay a piece in completely flush weld all the wayMoreThe new piece into the old piece which is where you lay a piece in completely flush weld all the way around. And then sand off the world around the outside.

Can Bondo fix rust holes?

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. The putty can be useful for filling rust holes in the most rust-prone areas of a car including quarter panels, fenders over and behind the wheels, and the bottoms of doors.

How do you fill metal holes in a car?

You can use a hard piece of cardboard, a kit applicator, or a putty knife. Make sure that you apply epoxy until the entire hole is filled or repaired. Epoxy will form over the metal surface and the edges of the hole will overlap a bit. Allow the epoxy to harden.

How can I fill a hole in my car without welding?

0:337:05Hole repair without welding - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo those are real easy to fix. This is just I just drilled an eighth inch hole. And I got a 3/16 bitMoreSo those are real easy to fix. This is just I just drilled an eighth inch hole. And I got a 3/16 bit in the drill here so I want to do is put it just a little bit of a bevel on that gives you a little

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...•

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.

Is Bondo a good body filler?

Bondo Body Filler cures fast, shapes in minutes and is formulated to be a non-shrinking and permanently durable material. In addition to its uses on vehicle exteriors and other metal surfaces it is also a suitable repair option for wood, fiberglass and concrete.

What is metal epoxy?

What is two-part metal epoxy? Epoxy is a heavy-duty adhesive consisting of a resin and a hardener, which are mixed in equal parts. These two components form a tremendously strong and rigid bond that's commonly used for a variety of surfaces like metal, wood, and concrete.

Is there a filler for metal?

Permatex Liquid Metal Filler is an easy-to-use filler that can be drilled, filed, sanded and painted. It forms a long-lasting, metal-tough bond and works on metal, wood, and concrete.

Can you use JB Weld on rust holes?

0:305:46Using JB Weld to Fix Rust Holes? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt right in there around to make sure that my patch is going to stick to that JV Weldon. And jb weldMoreIt right in there around to make sure that my patch is going to stick to that JV Weldon. And jb weld sticks very well to freshly ground metal.

Do it yourself rust repair?

0:2315:03How to Repair Rust on Your Car Without Welding. Rust RemovalYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo roast repair takes four easy steps one remove the rust juice and sandpaper. Two fill the areaMoreSo roast repair takes four easy steps one remove the rust juice and sandpaper. Two fill the area with body filler tree sand down the body filler to suit the body of your.

How do you bond metal to metal without welding?

Bonding compound: Loctite Weld Another option for gluing metal is Loctite Epoxy Weld Bonding Compound. A convenient alternative to welding, it's the strongest solution for bonding most metals, including iron, steel, aluminum, brass, copper, and pewter.

Is Bondo permanent?

Bondo Body Filler cures fast, shapes in minutes and is formulated to be a non-shrinking and permanently durable material. In addition to its uses on vehicle exteriors and other metal surfaces it is also a suitable repair option for wood, fiberglass and concrete.

Does body filler prevent rust?

The mere application of body filler over a substrate won't stop rust, Miller said. Fillers might contain corrosion resistance and slow the process, “but they're not gonna stop it,” he said. Put filler on rust, and “(the rust) may continue to grow,” he said.

Is fixing rust on a car worth it?

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.

Can a body shop fix rust?

Body Shops in Your Area do Rust Repairs Driving around in a rusting car can also place you and your passengers at risk for more serious safety issues. Restore your peace-of-mind by having it inspected and the rusted area professionally repaired by specialists at a reliable body shop.

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.

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.

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.

Where are rust pin holes?

Rust pin holes are found where there’s bubbling paint with a discoloration around it, often staining the paint near it. In the very center of the bubble is usually the worst of the rust and you can test the area by tapping a screwdriver on the area to see if it punctures the surface.

Can you use 2K primer on a paint gun?

We suggest using 2K Aerospray Epoxy Primer to seal up the entire area if you don’t have a paint gun to spray primer. 2K Aerospray primer gives you the professional 2K coatings with an aerosol can and are the best solution if you don’t have a paint gun.

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