Man, dealing with rust on your car is such a pain, especially around the wheel wells. I noticed some rust bubbling up on my old beater the other day, and figured I’d tackle it before it got worse.
First, I gave the whole area a good wash. Got rid of all the dirt and grime so I could really see what I was working with. Then I jacked up the car and took off the wheel to get better access. Safety first, you know? Always use jack stands, never just rely on the jack itself.
Once I had a clear view, I started assessing the damage. It was mostly surface rust, thankfully, but there were a couple of deeper spots. I grabbed my trusty angle grinder with a wire wheel attachment and went to town on the rusty areas. Sparks were flying! Make sure you wear eye protection and a mask, don’t want to breathe in that rust dust.
- For the smaller areas, a wire brush came in handy. It’s a bit more work, but gives you better control.
- After getting the majority of the rust off with the grinder and wire brush, I switched to sandpaper. Started with a coarser grit to smooth things out, then moved to a finer grit for a nice finish.
After a lot of grinding, brushing, and sanding, the rust was gone! It was all down to bare metal, which is exactly what you want. Made sure to clean up all the dust and debris left behind.
Next, I wiped the area down with some wax and grease remover to make sure the primer would stick properly. Then, I applied a few coats of rust-inhibiting primer, letting each coat dry completely before the next.
Once the primer was fully cured, I hit it with a few coats of automotive paint that matched my car’s color. Again, patience is key. Thin coats, let it dry properly between each one.
Finally, after the paint dried, I applied a couple of coats of clear coat to protect the paint and give it a nice shine. Let it dry, put the wheel back on, and lowered the car.
It was a lot of work, but definitely worth it. The wheel well looks so much better now, and I know I’ve stopped the rust from spreading. If you’re dealing with rust, don’t ignore it! Get in there and fix it before it turns into a bigger problem.
