Tips for Rust Repair

Not sure if im posting this in the correct forum, however any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. I purchased my 2002 330Ci last summer and I love it! however my last car was a Mazda 3 and rusted like crazy... and was hoping to avoid that with this car. I live in Ottawa, Canada just incase people reccomend products or stores.

The worst spots are under the trunk but above the bumper, and the two rear wheel wheels right above the bumper. So I will more than likely be removing the bumper. Picture 2 is right behind the Front Passenger wheel (tight area above the skirt and below the door).

Thats the wrong car to have rust on. If that's what you can see, imagine what you can't see. Honestly I'd just get a new car.

If it's just for vanity don't spend too much money on it. Pick up a can of rust converter primer, base colour and clear coat. Then try to get out the rust with a wire drill bit and sanding. Do your best at painting, it'll look better for sure.

Originally Posted by Mango

Thats the wrong car to have rust on. If that's what you can see, imagine what you can't see. Honestly I'd just get a new car.

Yea, getting a new car isn't really an option for me right now though, love this car and im just looking to make it a little easier on the eyes. If the rust comes back so be it but I'd like to do as good a job as I can without taking out big chunks of metal. Know any good threads that i should check out for this?

Originally Posted by MT-inside

If it's just for vanity don't spend too much money on it. Pick up a can of rust converter primer, base colour and clear coat. Then try to get out the rust with a wire drill bit and sanding. Do your best at painting, it'll look better for sure.

I'd like to get rid of the rust with either a grinder or wire brush drill bit, then bondo sand, bondo sand until im happy with the shape. Then I'll prime paint and clear coat as best as possible. I agree with not putting too much money in to it. I picked up the car for $4000 with 290k on it and right now its sitting at 307,000 km. Id like to see it reach 400,000 with a half decent body still. Any suggestions on which type of bondo, or primer etc..?

Originally Posted by MrCharleston

I'd like to get rid of the rust with either a grinder or wire brush drill bit, then bondo sand, bondo sand until im happy with the shape. Then I'll prime paint and clear coat as best as possible. I agree with not putting too much money in to it. I picked up the car for $4000 with 290k on it and right now its sitting at 307,000 km. Id like to see it reach 400,000 with a half decent body still. Any suggestions on which type of bondo, or primer etc..?

Yeah us Canadians have to deal with rust quite a bit, even on well made cars. But here's what I use all can be find at Canadian Tire:

- Rust Check Rust Converter
- Bondo Auto Body Filler
- Flat Wire Wheel Brush
- Colour matched paint from Napa
- Dupli-color clear coat

All in the project should be around 50 bucks. Tip for using the wire bit, use duct tape as masking tape when grinding because it will tear right through masking tape. I think you'll be surprised how well it turns out.