| Rust can absolutely ruin the metal on a car. It is | | | | and knocking on the metal. |
| best to prevent the rust from ever taking hold | | | | That can tell you, based on the clear metal sound |
| on your car by washing it frequently. I | | | | or the thud of putty work used to hide rust, if |
| recommend washing at least once a week, | | | | the car is solid or not. It is a test I do before |
| especially in areas that use salt on the road during | | | | purchasing any car, whether it is only a year old |
| the cold months. All that salt and dirt and grime | | | | or is one of the vintage muscle cars that I will be |
| that builds up tends to hold the moisture in and | | | | restoring. You should also inspect underneath the |
| that leaves a perfect environment for rust to | | | | car and check the wheel wells as well. Both are |
| begin. It often will set up in a place that has been | | | | prime locations for rust to begin. Never buy a car |
| dented or the paint has chipped. Exam your car | | | | that has been in an accident, even if it was just a |
| often for small spots of rust. It is much easier to | | | | small accident. They car likely received some sort |
| repair the rusted area when it is just a small spot. | | | | of damage to the paint that will be a prime target |
| That's really the key. You want to repair the area | | | | for rust. Even if the person selling the car claims |
| while it is only on the surface. Once the rust | | | | to have had the car repaired by an expert. Don't |
| travels deeper into the metal it becomes a much | | | | purchase it. Even with an expert doing the repair, |
| bigger and more expensive repair job. My work | | | | it is very likely that rust will take hold. Take the |
| restoring vintage muscle cars taught me early on | | | | time to check out any car before you purchase. |
| that rust can be lurking underneath a shoddy | | | | It could save you thousands of dollars in costly |
| patch job that has been painted over. You can do | | | | rust repairs, in the long run. |
| a check for this by simply going around the car | | | | |