Painting Rust Spots

Hey everyone, my 98 GT Coupe has a few spots on the hood and front bumper that are either missing paint and rusted or scratched about a millimeter deep.

I got the touch up paint (Silvermist) and a bottle of clear coat, both a 1 oz bottle with a brush.

How would i go about applying the paint to the car? Would i sand the rust?

I just need some pointers about putting touch up paint on a car because i have never done it before.

Thanks alot.

Rust HAS to go. First off, it's rough, if you paint over it, the paint is now rough and rocky and all you have is painted rust. Second, rust is there if you paint it or not, you want it gone, so you sand it. Obviously some rust is extreme and metal has to be replaced, but yours doesn't sound like that.

Also, last I remember, most touch up paint is cleared already, but in my experience, touch up paint really in the end just sucks. If it's just small dots, go ahead, if you're missing chunks of paint (think half an inch or bigger) you're getting to the point that said panel/area needs a repaint.

After sanding smooth, treat the spot with phosphoric acid a.k.a. "OSPHO". It chemically stops the rust, or it WILL come back.

Originally Posted by jetscrazy44

Hey everyone, my 98 GT Coupe has a few spots on the hood and front bumper that are either missing paint and rusted or scratched about a millimeter deep.

I got the touch up paint (Silvermist) and a bottle of clear coat, both a 1 oz bottle with a brush.

How would i go about applying the paint to the car? Would i sand the rust?

I just need some pointers about putting touch up paint on a car because i have never done it before.

Thanks alot.

Got pics? It will help us help you.

the only rust on there is the top on the hood... the bumper is plastic.. no rust there..probably just paint chips.

I got a similar project for my car. Got a few small scratches and rust spots on my 2004 Grand Prix. I was thinking the order would be, scrap/sand areas, use some sort of rust inhibitor, paint, clear coat, wax. My main question is about the waxing, should I clay bar the entire area, then fix the scratches/rust spots and afterwards (a few days later) wax the entire area?

Originally Posted by bigtom9492

the only rust on there is the top on the hood... the bumper is plastic.. no rust there..probably just paint chips.

He said rust and paint chips in the post... =P

i need to do this to the inside of my rear fenders, i know what to do i just need a rust inhibitor so i will be keeping an eye on this thread

don't clay bar the area, wax and grease remover will ensure the area is clean

you will have to sand more then the exposed area, rust goes underneath the paint around it, if its been there for more than a month rusting, even a tiny amount of rust left is gonna keep forming under the paint... thats why they call it cancer, get it all or dont bother.

Most rust converters will cause problems when it contacts existing paint, be careful.

Eastwood sells something called rust encapulator (sp?) but I have heard it reacts with touch up paint.


this link has great instructions on howto properly use touch up paint,

Repair Paint Chips - Car Care Specialties Article

I also recommend searching autopia.com

good info, thanks for the link