Whats the best way to sort rust out step by step? I can't afford to get it done professionally right now, but I just want to stop it from getting worse. Cheers

Edited 14 October, 200718 yr by wizardflake

Sand it back and brushpaint over it with a zinc primer

i've been attacking the rust on mine - use wet & dry paper on the rusty area right down to bare metal, work around the patch until you see how far the rust spreads out. what you can't get out with wet and dry paper, use a flap disc on a drill (i had one lying around) and take out the rust right into the metal. then you might want to use filler primer if the rust went in deep (if it didn't, just use ordinary primer), and using zinc primer before that like tobyk suggested might be a good idea, though I didn't use that because i took all the rust off. then just respray. it works a treat, and just needs time, doesnt requre much cash spending on it! i think i spent £25 altogether from halfords on filler, filler applicators, paint, filler primer, 2 grades of wet and dry paper.

sorry this reply's a bit late, just discovered this wonderful forum! :)

This is how I do it:

Take paint back with a sander until you have a good 2 inches clean metal around the rust.

Clean back to good metal with an angle grinder and wire wheel.

Use rustbuster Epoxy mastic paint as a primer. (good stuff)

Then repaint.

make sure you get rid of all the rust first or it'll just be back again within a couple of months. and dont leave repairs in normal primer for long.

But most importantly buy all your products from a nice local motor shop NOT halfrauds.

I actually started this yesterday! I sanded back, but not to 2 inches around the rust, more like half an inch to an inch. I put Kurust on it just incase I missed any small rust and filled it, though not brilliant but it's not too bad. I put 2 coats of primer on this morning, just waiting until tomorrow for the top coat.

It looks a lot worse right now than before I did anything to it. Least the rust is gone though

Edited 12 October, 200718 yr by wizardflake

I'm pretty happy with it considering I've never done anything like this before! Colour match isn't TOO bad considering it's a spray can, and you can see where I didn't even the filler properly when sanding, but even so. It looks a LOT better than before.

About 2 thirds through sanding.

After spraying

I just need to put the laquer on now.

I know theres a a bad patch of rust on the drivers door too, but I'm replacing that soon so I'm not bothered there.

Looks like some top work there mate! :)

I got to the primer stage on my car (on a lot of places lol) and the bad weather / my laziness set in! ha ha

but seeing what you done there inspires me

nice one