Saturday, May 10, 2014
How to Fix Rust Damage on a Car
Rust is created when bare metal is exposed to both oxygen and water. This creates iron oxide, better known as rust. Rust eats away at the surrounding metal, which can cause connection problems and over time makes the vehicle less structurally secure as the rust penetrates the vehicles steel crumple zones. Immediate action is required as soon as the rust appears to stop it from spreading throughout the entire car body.
Instructions
- 1
Remove any loose rust from the car with the wire brush. Keep using the wire brush until the bare metal underneath the rust shows through.
2Mix the fiberglass paste included in the repair kit with the correct amount of hardener. Use a putty knife to apply the mixed paste behind the rust holes. Be sure to press the paste securely into the rust damage.
3Wait for the paste to harden, then use the sandpaper to sand off any excess paste or rust debris.
4Mix together the body filler and hardener, then spread over the rust-damaged area. Wait for the filler to harden, then use sandpaper to sand the area smooth.
5Use a solvent wipe to remove any dust or grease from the area. Shake the primer can to mix the paint, then apply the first coat of primer over the damaged area.
6Wait for the primer to dry, then sand the area. Apply a second coat of primer and wait for it to dry. Then sand again. Repeat this process until the primer surface is even with the rest of the cars paint.
7Spray a few thin coats of the topcoat paint over the primer area. Wait for the topcoat to dry, then polish it with a polishing compound to blend the paint into the rest of the cars paint.
Saturday, January 25, 2014
How to Repair Rust Damage to Cylinders
Cylinders are part of a car engine. Pistons slide up and down inside the cylinders, so clean cylinders help your car engine run smoothly. A car is also more powerful with more cylinders in the engine. Rust builds on the walls of a cylinder over time, especially if the engine has been removed from your car. Rust causes the pistons to grind against the cylinder walls, damaging the efficiency of your car engine. The method you should use to repair your cylinders depends on the amount of rust on the cylinder walls.
Instructions
- 1
Rub the rust on your cylinder with steel wool, if there is only a small amount of rust on the walls. Scrub the cylinder walls with your steel wool, occasionally washing the wool in warm water to get rid of any excess rust.
2Fix your flex hone drill attachment to the end of your power drill. A flex hone attachment consists of a wheel covered in metal balls, and you can use it to remove a large amount of rust. You can buy one at an auto parts store.
3Put on your protective goggles. Turn on your power drill and gently run the flex hone over the rust on your cylinder walls. The flex hone will scrape off the rust and clean your cylinders. Oil your flex hone regularly to prevent damage to the metal balls. When you have removed all the rust, clean the walls of your cylinders using a rag.
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Will Removing the Catalytic Converter Damage My Vehicle
Plugging of the catalytic converter is a frequent problem experienced by many vehicle owners. Many individuals choose to remove the converter completely or hollow the inside of the honeycomb out.
Purpose of the Converter
The catalytic converter serves to reduce harmful emissions that automobiles release into the air. The primary pollutant that is minimized is carbon monoxide, which is reduced to incredibly low levels to have a smaller impact on the environment. Many states have emissions inspections that are conducted on a yearly basis to ensure the catalytic converter is working correctly.
Impact of Removal
When a catalytic converter is damaged or removed, a few different clues signify it. The fuel economy of a vehicle will drop without a converter, along with a lack of power. If pressure is excessive due to the converter being plugged, you may experience frequent stalling or rough idling.
Detrimental Effects
Other impacts of removing the converter include risking damage to the other components, primarily the oxygen sensor, which works in conjunction with the catalytic converter. This may also cause the check engine light to come on, which will cause the vehicle to fail an emissions test.
Friday, October 25, 2013
How to Repair Paint Damage From Acid Rain
Acid rain is caused when pollutants such as nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide combine in the atmosphere and come down with the rain. If you wash your car after it is rained on by acid rain, there will typically be no harm done to your cars paint finish. If you are not able to wash it immediately, there might be damage to your paint. The damage will look like dried water droplets, or a white ring with a clear center. There are different ways to repair the paint, depending on the extent of the damage.
Instructions
- 1
Inspect the extent of the damage to your vehicles paint. There are three different levels of damage. The first level is the least severe and will need very little repair. This is where the damage is only to the surface of the clearcoat of the car. If the damage goes into the clearcoat, it is considered level 2 damage. Damage through the clearcoat and basecoat is considered level 3 damage.
2Wash off the car. Regardless off how much damage there is, washing the car is necessary to get any residue off from the acid rain and to clean off the area you are about to repair. Once the car has been washed, dry it thoroughly and then apply wax to the area you are going to repair.
3Repair the car paint according to the amount of damage that has occurred. For damage just to the surface, use wet sandpaper and gently sand the damaged area.
4Repaint a clearcoat for damage that has occurred to the clearcoat after you have sanded the area. Allow time to dry and apply two to three coats as needed.
5Repaint the basecoat and clearcoat once sanding is completed if the damage is into the basecoat. Allow one to two hours between coats and apply two to three basecoats as well as two to three coats of clearcoat.
6Buff the area with a wool buffing pad and a buffer.