Weewee

Hi guys!

Not sure if this is the right place for this thread. Please relocate it if it isnt! Thank you!

My 1998 Honda Civic has a couple surface rust spots on the driver side door, causing the paint to chip off.

This is my very first time doing any bodywork and I am wondering how I should go about fixing it.

What are the appropriate steps?

I have gotten a can of Tafetta White spray

http://www.amazon.com/Dupli-Color-Pa.../dp/B00407XA2E

Should I go ahead and use a piece of sandpaper and start sanding down to the metal? If so, what grit of sandpaper should I use?

I am a little nervous! Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks!

HFXCIVIC

if the rust is "bubbling up " the rust maybe coming from inside .

You say its on the door , what part ? could you remove the panel and see inside and take a look at the amount of rust

Weewee

It is on the outside surface and it really looks more like surface rust. Sorry for the confusion.

HFXCIVIC

sand down till base metal - use a grinder if you have it
apply a rust converter
if necessary you could use some body fill/bondo
sand
prime
paint
clear

best is to cut out the affected metal and weld in a new piece but the above points will work i think in your case if its small

Weewee

the main rust spot is about the size of a penny but there is a couple other rust "dots" about 2 inches away from the main one.

i don't have a grinder. is there any difference (other than the speed it takes to grind down to the base metal) between using a low and high grit sandpaper?

also, i have never used rust converter before. do i wipe it off or do i leave it on after applying it on the rust?

thanks :3

HFXCIVIC

When you start sanding you will need a very coarse paper like 1000 grit
use that to sand all the rust out then apply the rust converter follow the directions on the can but usually just apply and let dry . Now if you have a bit of a hole you could put body fill in but any ways .. then prime the area one or two coats then you may want to to wet/dry sand with 2000 grit sand paper to really make it perfect then paint and then clear coat