Rust may seem like an inevitable problem of owning a vehicle— but it can become a serious issue if not dealt with. Keeping your car rust free is one of the best ways to make sure it runs for years to come. With that in mind, it's important to understand the rusting process, be aware of rust-prone areas of your vehicle, and proactively mitigate rust spots before they become a serious issue.
In this article, we’ll discuss the types of rust and what causes them.
Types of Rust
Rust is another term for "oxidation," or the breakdown of iron-based metals. With enough time and exposure to the elements, most types of iron and steel will reduce to iron oxide through the rusting process. Since these metals are commonly used in cars, there are three types of rust drivers should be concerned about:
Surface Rust
The first signs of surface rust usually appear in the paint. This type of rust preys on small nicks, cracks, and scratches. As the clear coat wears, your paint also becomes vulnerable to wear and abrasions. Once water penetrates the unprotected metal, it oxidizes. Pure iron and aluminum don't oxidize as aggressively; steal tends to have impurities in the metal that accelerate the rusting process.
Scale Rust
Exposed steel rusts at different rates depending on a few variables. Alloy components, thickness, the environment the steel is in, and the type of heat treatment the steel undergoes can all impact how quickly metal rusts. Scale refers to the oxides of iron that are formed on wrought, or worked, metals as a result of mill operations (usually from high-temperature rolling or furnace treatment). These chemical processes corrupt the surface and reduce the metal’s strength, making it more vulnerable to oxidation. Over time, water can react to the chemicals used in a heat treatment creating scale rust. The scale is usually hard but brittle and flaky.
Penetrating Rust
After prolonged exposure to the elements, oxidized steel will typically degrade to brittle iron oxide. this is what causes holes to form in the metal sheets.
Automakers go to great lengths to try to prevent this severe type of corrosion. Many vehicles now have a thick coating on the underside that will chemically seal the steel against oxidizing agents. But those coatings wear off over time, especially on the underside of the vehicle where salt and other elements wear on the metal. Penetrating rust can usually be prevented if detected and treated early enough.
Keep Your Car Rust Free With V&F
If left unchecked, a rust spot can quickly grow until it causes a structural problem. In many states, a car with rust holes in the body won’t even pass inspection, regardless of where the spots are located or how serious they are. If you're worried about rust, the team at V&F Auto can help you keep your car rust free with a preventative maintenance plan.
Since 1988, our family-owned and operated service center has been providing top-quality auto repair services to Agawam, Feeding Hills, Southwick, West Springfield, and the surrounding Massachusetts communities. If your car needs maintenance or repair, call us at (413)314-2280 or
schedule an appointment online.
This article was originally published in March 2018 and has been updated.
