Whether you live in an area that's prone to a lot of moisture or one where salt is regularly used on the roads, rust is a common problem. Unfortunately, it's seen so often that many car owners just dismiss its presence as not being a big deal. However, in addition to the aesthetic issues, rust is a serious concern—far more serious than many car owners understand. Whether you're seeing rust spots on your car or not, it's important that you understand why it matters. Here are a few of the reasons why you should have rust spots addressed immediately on your car.
It's Unattractive
With most cars, the very first appearance of rust is surface rust on the body of the vehicle. You might think that surface rust is minor and doesn't pose any concerns, but when left untreated, it will actually lead to structural issues with the metal. Beyond that, surface rust destroys the finish on your car. It leaves your car looking neglected, old, and damaged. With so much based on appearances these days, addressing rust as quickly as possible can make all the difference in the world. Not to mention that the sooner you have your local body shop deal with surface rust, the less chance you have of it spreading further into the metal and causing more serious damage to the car.
It Can Destroy The Car Body
Rust develops as a result of oxidation. That process can actually cause physical degradation of metal, weakening the metal and leaving behind holes. When you're dealing with an automobile, the entire core construction of the car is dependent on the strength of the metal components to keep the car, and you, safe. Once rust starts to eat away at the metal, it will actually create weak spots in the affected body panels. If you're in an accident, those weak spots can ultimately lead to your car being more heavily damaged than it would be otherwise, and it may put you at greater risk of injury as well. Further, once the rust starts to create holes in the metal, it leaves the interior of the car vulnerable to the elements. The more moisture seeps into the car, the greater the risk of further rust development.
It's More Expensive To Fix As It Gets Worse
When you're addressing surface rust, it's usually a fairly simple fix. You can just sand away the rust spots, then prep and paint the affected area again.Treating the area with a rust inhibitor before painting can actually add more protection against the rust coming back.
However, if you let it go for a long time before you have it addressed, it can be far more costly to repair. Instead of just sanding and repainting, dealing with deeper, larger rust sections can require anything from grinding the rust away and welding in patches of metal to replacing entire door sections. As soon as the actual structural integrity of the metal has been threatened, that means it's time for serious repairs, and those repairs usually come with a far more serious price tag than surface rust repair.
As you can see, rust is not something that should be taken lightly. If you suspect that your car is developing rust problems, whether you see visible rust spots or just bubbling paint somewhere, it's important that you seek the help of an auto body specialist at a location like Select Collision Group right away. The more attentive you are to the condition of your car, the easier the repairs will be, and the safer your car will be. In addition, it prolongs the life of your investment and helps to ensure that you'll get a better price if you decide to sell it later.
