When doing restorations to any car, one of the common problems is rust. The corrosion of metal can cause serious damage to metal, and repairs are going to need to be done. Depending on the extent of the damage, there are different options for getting the repairs done. You may just need to patch minor rust or completely replace body parts, or even fabricate your own parts. Here are some tips to help deal with rust and damage when doing restorations to auto bodies:

1. Dealing with Minor Auto Body Damage and Using Filler to Do Repairs

The minor body damage to your car may not require much for repairing it. If  the problem is only small dents, they can often be removed easily by a professional auto body repair service. If the problem is only small pitting from rust, the oxidation can be removed and the surface smoothed with an auto body filler before you have a new coat of paint done.

2. Severe Damage to Auto Body Work and Replacing the Original Parts

Severe damage to auto body parts can often be difficult to repair and may require replacement of the damaged parts. If you are doing an original restoration, it is always best to find the original parts for these repairs. Parts like fenders can be easy, bolt-on repairs that you can do yourself, but there are others that you may need help with. If you need to have replacement parts welded, it is a good idea to take your car to a professional auto body repair shop for help.

3. Replacing Damaged Parts with Lightweight Alternatives and Upgrades

There are also lightweight parts that you can use as an alternative to heavy metal auto body work. If you have an older, heavy vehicle, you may want to consider replacing parts like the hood, fenders and trunk with lighter replacements. Today, you have the option of fiberglass and carbon fiber auto body parts. The carbon fiber parts are stronger and lighter but will be more expensive.

4. Correcting Frame Damage and Fabricating Your Own Body Parts for Repairs

When you have an older car that you are restoring, some of the damage could be in the frame of the car, which is common with unibody car designs. You will want to have a professional auto body repair shop put your car on a frame machine to correct any damage according to the factory specs. This will ensure that you do not have any problems with performance and handling when you finish your restorations.

These are some tips to help with repairs and restoration of auto body work when rust has caused serious damage. If you need help with repairs when doing auto restorations, contact an auto body repair shop like Westside Fender/Body & Refinishing and talk to them about some of these solutions.