How to Repair Small Rust Spots
Metal is naturally prone to rust when it comes into contact with oxygen. Water and road salt speed up the rusting process. If rust is allowed to remain on a metal object it will gradually expand and cause the object to deteriorate. Promptly addressing small rust problems before they become larger issues is best way to deal with rust. The difficulty involved in removing a small rust spot depends on the type of object and the location of the rust. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Putty knife
- Wire brush
- Sandpaper
- Steel wool
- Naval Jelly
- Cloth
- Metal primer
- Metal paint
Instructions
-
-
1
Scrape off rust loose rust chips and flakes with a putty knife or a wire brush. Run the putty knife over the rusted spot and knock off the loose and flaking rust.
-
2
Sand the rust spot with steel wool or 150 grit sandpaper. Continue sanding until all the rust is removed and bare metal is exposed. If the rust spot is difficult or awkward to sand proceed to Step 3.
-
-
3
Coat the rust spot with Naval Jelly. Naval Jelly is a rust remover that contains Phosphoric Acid. The Phosphoric Acid etches the rust and exposes the metal surface. Apply the Naval Jelly to the rust area. Let it sit on the area for a few minutes and then wipe the spot with a cloth. Coke contains several kinds of acid, which works well to clean corroded battery terminals on a car battery.
-
4
Prime and paint the spot if paint is required. For example if you are repairing a rust spot on a car or outdoor furniture, once the rust is removed it repainting the metal is necessary to prevent future rust. Paint protects the bare metal. Apply a metal primer. Allow the primer to completely dry and then paint the area.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Wear a face mask to prevent breathing in rust particles.
