Salt that is used to treat roads can cause rust to form on your car's body. Learn how to remove these spots and add a fresh coat of primer and paint where they once were to restore your car to its original state.

Use The Following Items

• soapy water
• sponge
• water hose
• drop cloth 
• painter's tape
• electric sander
• low and high grit sandpaper
• tack cloth
• spray primer
• touch-up paint
• buffing cloth
• rubbing compound

Step 1: Wash And Prepare The Rusted Areas

After washing the rusted areas with soapy water and a sponge, apply painter's tape to the trim on your car's body that is located close to the rusted areas. To help clean up any sawdust from the sanding procedure, lay a drop cloth on the ground next to your vehicle.

Attach a piece of low grit paper to an electric sander, and slowly move it firmly over the rusted spots until they are no longer visible. When the bulk of the rust is removed, switch to a piece of high grit paper and sand in the same manner. To clean any sanding dust that has accumulated, wipe a tack cloth over the sanded areas.

Step 2: Apply Primer And Paint

Spray an even coat of primer over the freshly sanded areas, but stand several inches away from your vehicle while applying it so that it does not drip onto your car's body. Wait a couple hours for the primer to dry.

Apply touch-up paint that matches the original color of your car. Touch-up paint comes in a small bottle that includes a special applicator. The applicator can be used to dab or brush the paint onto the areas that are being repaired. Allow plenty of time for the paint to dry. Apply a second coat of touch-up paint if the areas that are being painted need to be darker in order to match the rest of your vehicle.

Step 3: Smooth Out The Edges Of The Fresh Paint

Apply a small amount of rubbing compound to a buffing cloth. Wipe it onto the freshly painted areas, and press down firmly while moving the cloth in a circular motion. The compound will smooth out the edges of the fresh paint so that they blend in well with the rest of your vehicle. After the compound turns hazy in appearance, wipe it off with a clean cloth.

Take care of your car in the future by washing it after driving on roads that have been treated with salt and parking it in a garage or under a protective barrier when inclement weather is present.

If your rust spots are substantial, you may wish to have them addressed by professionals, such as those at Convoy Collision and Auto Body.