Signs That Your Car Has Rust

There are plenty of ways for rust to form. It can be from simple wear and tear to winter climates and accidental damage. Corrosion from any of these factors can cause massive damage over time, so it’s vital that you’re able to recognize the telltale signs of rust before it takes over your vehicle.

We’re here to share some tips and tricks on identifying rust on your car and what you can do to stop it from causing more harm in this post.

The first signs will usually appear on the surface of your car. Unfortunately, even if most vehicles today have a protective layer over their paint job, it can breakdown over time and leave the metal exposed to the elements. Just a minor ding or a piece of gravel can compromise this coating’s integrity, which will lead to oxidation and, shortly afterward, the brownish, flakey appearance of rust. On the bright side, certain things give away when this happens, such as:

• Puddles: if you can see any water damage on the carpet (from the trunk or cabin), there’s a chance that the metal underneath may have rusted. Remove the fabric to check if rust has formed.
• Bubbles: a big indication of hidden rust in your car is if you notice that the exterior paint is bubbling. Bumps scattered along an area of paint around the rocker panel is one of the most obvious signs. This is because the paint has lost adherence to the metal due to water and air gathered in the bubble to oxidize.
• Body damage: if the paint and wax have been stripped away from some regions of the car (due to dents and scratches), it’s likely that rust has started to develop there. It’s best to check the severity of the damage done to your vehicle and check how long it’s been exposed to the elements.
• Non-matching paints: if you spot any strips or dots of paint around the door frames, the wheel wells, or rocker panels of the car which don’t match the color and quality of the original paint job, it’s likely that you’re looking at the rust that’s hiding right under your nose. If the vehicle you’re inspecting is a used car, there’s a chance that the previous owner has painted over the rust to hide it. Check it in the sunlight and touch the surface for any flakey and rough areas that look suspect of rust damage.

It’s very easy to prevent the formation of rust on the surface of our vehicles. Just keeping your car clean is enough to stop rust from forming. It’s also best to give your car an inspection now and then to see if any small spots might get rust in the near future.

Look for damage on the clear coat and pay close attention to areas that collect grime and dirt. If you want to ensure that your car is protected throughout the year, look no further than our Krown Rust Protection coating for maximum durability.

About LINE-X and Krown of South Central Pennsylvania

LINE-X and Krown of South Central Pennsylvania is the leader in vehicle undercoating protection using Krown products and truck bed liners using LINE-X spray-on bed liners. We serve York County to help maintain and extend the life of vehicles. If you are in Loganville or Lewisberry, Delta or Dover, West York or Wrightsville, or any point in between, stop in at our Vogelsong Road location to see what we can do to protect your vehicle. No one knows protection better than LINE-X and Krown and the premium performance and exceptional value that they bring.