5 Things you need to know about rust treatment

Rust treatment for vehicles of all shapes, sizes, makes and models involves the same process. Rust removal, prevention and protection will offer the best chance for a vehicle succumbed to the mercy of corrosion.

Rust treatment can either be done using mechanical processes, encapsulation or via the application of a rust remover or rust converter. Rust proofing kits include a rust converter, underbody rust proofing waxes and cavity wax rust prevention applications. Why? Because for rust treatment to be successful long-term it should be followed with measures to prevent further corrosion to the vehicle.

Modern rust treatment products are easier to use and come in a variety of specific products. For light corrosion in hard-to-reach places you can apply a gel or jelly rust remover. The consistency of these products makes them easy to apply cleanly, making them ideal for rusty spots underneath a motor vehicle or seams and joins. 

Rust treatment

Most surface corrosion to a vehicle is as a result of damage to the paintwork. If dealt with soon enough it is not likely to lead to structural damage but it does affect the aesthetics. The onset of corrosion is largely preventable by washing the underside and body work regularly, checking that drainage holes to the bottom of doors and rocker aren't blocked and applying rust prevention waxes and oils. But, a car restoration or just the general life of a car close to a coast area could reveal the reddy illness that, was started, can rapidly eat away at bare metal. There are 5 ways of dealing with rust to halt it in it's tracks:

1. Mechanical rust removal - sandblasting, grinding, metal wire brushing or cutting for heavily pitted surfaces
2. Media blasting - this method uses compressed air and a ground abrasive media
3. Encapsulator - treats, seals and stops rust from spreading by chemically encapsulating the surface - for light to heavy rust
4. Rust remover
5. Rust converter and primer - chemical rust treatment requires thorough surface preparation - wire brush flakes of rust (don't go down to bare metal as a rust converter needs rust for it's mode of action to work), degrease and wipe clean. When fully cured and turned black, the area can be over painted. Works effectively on areas of medium to heavy rust. 

Prevention - application of an underbody wax and cavity wax 

Rust treatment with a rust converter and primer

For medium to heavy corrosion to a metal substrate, a rust converter is an option that requires little surface preparation before application. Unlike rust removers, which can be time-consuming but are ideal for more delicate work, rust converters are easy to apply in a few simple steps and require little effort. These products can be applied directly onto a rusted surface (once the loose flakes of rust have been dusted off) and will dry in around fifteen minutes. The product causes a chemical reaction that changes the rust into a dark, inert compound, halting the corrosion and forming an effective barrier against future issues.

The preventative and protective aspects of modern rust removers and converters is highly effective in all kinds of conditions. Rust converters have proven to be resistant to bacterial growths, moisture, oxygen, sea spray, de-icing salt and carbon dioxide – all of which can cause metal surfaces to begin to rust. Rust removers also contain protective compounds that are effective in preventing the reoccurrence of rust on treated metal surfaces.

Rust treatment to rear wheel arches

Corrosion visible to the wheel arches can be rust treated. Once treated, fill any small holes with body filler, undercoat and paint. The onset of corrosion could be due to moisture that has got into the edges of the arches where the inner arch has been spot welded to the outer.

Dinitrol rust proofing kits provide DIY enthusiasts with all you need to treat and protect your vehicle. Rust proofing kits include cavity wax, underbody wax, rust converter spray and an anti stone-chip treatment. Dinitrol has been used to treat rust on a Boeing 737 landing gear bay so if it can stop corrosion on an aircraft, it should work on a vehicles of all shapes and sizes.

The wheel arches and around the windscreen more commonly fall prey to the forces of corrosion. A Dinitrol rust proofing kit contains all the products you need to both treat and prevent further corrosion. Don't take chances - it is better to lock out oxygen, salt and water than to have to treat.