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How do you remove rust bubbles from your car?

I have an older car with a bunch of rust bubbles. I'm thinking about either selling it or trying to use it more, but I need to get the rust off of it first. How do I do that?

avatar
Liz Jenson · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Fixing a car with
rust damage
can be time-consuming, but you can do it at home. You’ll need a metal scraper, sandpaper, mineral spirits, and primer. Here’s how to remove rust bubbles:
  • Scrape off the paint over the rust bubbles using a metal scraper
  • Use sandpaper to smooth off the rust
  • Clear off any remaining dust
  • Wipe the area using a rag and mineral spirits and wait for it to dry
  • Apply a coat of self-etching primer and wait for it to dry
  • Add a coat of filler primer and wait for it to dry
  • Smooth the area again using sandpaper
  • Use mineral spirits to wipe the area again
  • Finish it off by touching up any damaged paint
When your car reaches a certain age, you’ll need to look into your
car insurance
policy so you don’t pay more in premiums than your car is worth. A great way to do this is by using the
Jerry
app. Jerry will collect quotes for you so you can compare prices and coverages for free.
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