Do detailing specialists sort out rust spots too?
Do detailing specialists sort out rust spots too?
Author
Discussion

oktapod

Original Poster:

348 posts

198 months

Friday 10th April 2009
quotequote all
My car has a few very small rust spots. It's done 103k and is nearly 8 years old and I've just acquired it. Unfortunately for me I didn't spot the blemishes before committing to the car, but they don't hugely worry me. Nevertheless, I'm keen to get it put right.

I am thinking of using a detailing specialist to tidy the bodywork up, but wondered what they would do for the small rust spots. These consist of a small amount of bubbling by the boot lid (maybe 8-12mm max) and a small amount of evidence of some bubbling by the driver's side front wheel-arch. There are a couple of stone chips needing dealt with too.

I'm hoping a specialist would be able to take the rust spots back, prepare, primer, paint, blend and wax, but as I've not done this before I have no idea if that's a reasonable expectation.

Also, assuming the above can be done, generally how much does it cost to get a car detailed? I'm not expecting concourse standard, but bringing out the best in what I have combined with dealing with the few rust & stone-chip spots.

paintman

7,822 posts

207 months

Saturday 11th April 2009
quotequote all
If the rust is on the bonnet, roof or, as in your case, the bootlid then you may need the whole panel doing & that's a bodyshop job. Reason is that big flat panels are difficult to do a small area repair as the edge of the lacquer is likely to be visible, either as a fine dull line or in worst case, a rainbow edge effect. If the area has clearly defined boudaries - swage lines etc - then it MAY be possible but you are going to need it looked at by a painter.
As for the arch, what needs to be done depends on whether its just surface rust or corrosion perforation & again needs to be seen by a painter.