Rust Repair and Prevention: Keep Your Car Looking New

Minnesota winters are no joke—and if you’ve lived here long enough, you know how road salt, moisture, and freezing temps can take a toll on your vehicle. One of the most common problems we see at New Central Auto Body is rust. Left untreated, rust can spread quickly and cause major damage to your vehicle’s body and structure.

Whether you’re dealing with a small patch or serious corrosion, we can help. Our rust repair and prevention services are designed to stop the spread, restore your car’s appearance, and help you avoid expensive repairs down the road.

Let’s walk through what causes rust, how it affects your car, and what we can do to protect your vehicle for the long haul.

Understanding Rust Damage on Vehicles

Rust happens when metal, oxygen, and moisture meet—and unfortunately, that’s a combination that’s hard to avoid here in Minnesota. Once it starts, it doesn’t stop on its own. Rust can begin as a small bubble in the paint and quickly turn into flaking metal, holes, and structural issues.

What Causes Rust on Cars?

The most common causes of rust on vehicles include:

• Road Salt: Used to melt ice and snow, salt speeds up the corrosion process. It sticks to your undercarriage, wheel wells, and lower panels. Learn more about how road salt impacts Minnesota roads.
• Moisture: Snow, rain, and humidity all provide the water rust needs to form. Even condensation inside your vehicle can contribute.
• Chipped Paint: When the paint or clear coat is damaged—whether from a rock chip or scratch—it exposes bare metal underneath.
• Poor Drainage: Leaves, dirt, and debris can clog drainage holes in your doors or trunk, trapping moisture inside and promoting rust.
• Age: Older vehicles are more prone to rust, especially if they weren’t treated with modern rust-proofing methods when new.
  

That’s why we recommend addressing rust early. A small spot can often be fixed quickly and affordably—but wait too long, and it could lead to major bodywork or even unsafe driving conditions. Explore more winter vehicle care tips from AAA.

Rust Repair and Prevention Services

At New Central Auto Body, we offer full-service rust repair and prevention for vehicles of all makes and models. Whether you’re dealing with surface rust or full-blown corrosion, we have the tools and experience to fix it—and stop it from coming back.

How We Remove Rust from Auto Bodies

Removing rust isn’t just about sanding it down and painting over it. We follow a thorough process to ensure rust is completely eliminated and doesn’t return.

Here’s how it works:

• Assessment – We inspect the damage and determine whether it’s surface rust or structural corrosion.
• Rust Removal – We remove all rusted material using sanding, grinding, or cutting as needed. For deeper damage, we may cut out and replace affected panels.
• Treat and Seal – Once rust is removed, we treat the area with a rust inhibitor to neutralize any remaining corrosion.
• Bodywork and Painting – We restore the area with body filler if necessary, then repaint to match your vehicle’s color and finish.
• Final Inspection – Before we hand your car back, we inspect the area to make sure the job is complete and the finish is seamless.

We also provide rust repair for undercarriages, wheel wells, trunk lids, hoods, doors, and more. Our goal is to stop the spread, restore the appearance, and give you confidence that the job was done right.

Best Rust Prevention Treatments for Minnesota Vehicles

If your vehicle is rust-free now, we can help keep it that way. Prevention is always cheaper than repair, especially in harsh climates like ours.

Our top rust prevention services include:

• Undercoating: A protective spray applied to the undercarriage to guard against salt, moisture, and grime.
• Rust-Proof Sealants: These treatments are applied to exposed metal areas inside doors, panels, and seams.
• Paint Protection: We apply clear coats or protective films that shield your vehicle’s paint from chips, scratches, and corrosion.
• Drainage Cleaning: We make sure your vehicle’s drainage areas are clear so water doesn’t collect where it shouldn’t.
• Touch-Up Services: If your vehicle’s paint has chips or scratches, we’ll seal them up before rust has a chance to start.

We recommend getting your vehicle inspected every fall, before the salt trucks hit the streets. A quick inspection and protective coating can go a long way in saving you money and keeping your car looking great. Check out these additional rust prevention tips.

Why Drivers Choose New Central Auto Body for Rust Repair

We’re proud to be a trusted name in Minneapolis for rust repair and prevention. Our team has years of experience dealing with the specific challenges that come with Minnesota winters, and we treat every vehicle like it’s our own.

Here’s what you can expect when you work with us:

• Honest estimates with clear explanations
• Skilled rust removal and repainting
• No shortcuts—we fix it right the first time
• Friendly, local service you can trust

Whether you’re looking to restore an older car, fix new damage, or protect your vehicle before winter hits, we’re here to help.

Give New Central Auto Body a call today or stop by for a free rust inspection. Let’s keep your vehicle looking new and running strong.