Keeping Your Car A Little Cleaner

Repairing Your Car's Corrosion

While dents can be one of the types of auto body damage that individuals will be the most likely to need to have repaired, corrosion can be another significant problem that your vehicle could eventually develop.

Paint Damage Can Lead To Corrosion Forming On The Car's Body

The exterior paint of your vehicle can provide an effective barrier against moisture exposure. This can reduce the chance of the exterior of the car developing extensive corrosion. Unfortunately, minor paint damage can allow corrosion to start to develop on the car's exterior. Once the corrosion develops, it will be able to worsen. As the corrosion worsens, it can cause the surrounding paint to flake off, which can make it easier for it to spread.

Corrosion Can Eventually Lead To Holes And Punctures In The Car's Exterior

If the corrosion damage to your vehicle is not addressed, it will cause the exterior of the vehicle to steadily weaken. As it weakens, the metal paneling can be far more likely to develop punctures. Once the corrosion has reached this point, it may be necessary to replace the entire panel that has been damaged. This can be a fairly expensive repair, but it can be essential for restoring the vehicle.

Minor Corrosion Can Be Relatively Easy To Repair

Minor corrosion damage can often be repaired fairly easily. However, it is a common mistake to fail to repair corrosion damage when it is still relatively mild, and this may greatly limit the repair options. When this damage is fairly mild, it is possible to remove the corroded portion of the paneling with sanding or other grinding tools. After removing the corrosion, sealants can be applied to the metal to prevent the corrosion from returning. Unfortunately, this repair will require the area to be repainted, but this can be a minor issue for preventing the corrosion from spreading and worsening.

Regularly Washing The Car Can Reduce The Risk Of Corrosion Developing

Regularly washing the car can be a simple step for reducing the chance of corrosion forming on the car's exterior. During this process, you will remove dirt and other materials that could trap water against the exterior or that may even have the ability to leave scrapes and scuff marks on the exterior. Cleaning can also remove bird droppings and other potentially corrosive substances that could break down the paint and contribute to rapid corrosion. When cleaning your car's exterior, it is important to make sure that you are using soft microfiber cloths to avoid leaving scuff marks on the exterior.

For more information, contact an auto body shop near you.