Car rust has been and continues to be one of the most hated subjects among car owners. It is very strange that though people whine a lot about car rusting, they hardly do anything either to prevent or to mend rusting. The negligence and non-maintenance of cars takes it toll on the metal (steel) body of the car, which would otherwise have lasted a lifetime. A little paint chipping here, a dent there exposes the metal to the elements of nature and what initially show up as tiny bits of rusting soon eats into the metal. Considering the ease with which the car rust could be prevented, this just seems unpardonable.

Once some damage is done to your vehicle, the best way to halt the car rust is to attend to the repair job. When it is limited to just peeling of the paint, it can be set right by some touchup painting. You may go for a quick fixing by dabbing a little nail polish and then look for the right paint. Identifying the right paint is not too difficult as it can be tracked with the paint code number. Dents can likewise be fixed by minor repairs. However, once rusting sets in and it comes to removing rust from cars it is better to seek professional help. Though service stations are the apt place for your car rust repair jobs, some petrol pumps also provide necessary help.

If all this has been too much for you and you are regretting your decision of going for a costly car, then here is a welcome relief for you - it is far easier to give your car rust protection than removing rust from the car. One way of preventing car rust is to go for car rust proofing. Car rust proofing is good for brand new cars, however, it does more harm to old, in-use vehicles. Rust proofing of old vehicles trap dirt and moisture and add to the risk of rusting.

Some simpler car rust preventive measures are as follows:

" Avoid parking your car in hot sun.

" Follow a routine washing/cleaning plan. Keep the doors partly open after a wash. This will ensure draining out of water.

" Routinely check the drainage holes in the frame, floor and the bottoms of the doors so that every bit of moisture can seep out.

" Choose mild, safe cleansers that do not harm the protective paint covering.

" Treat your car with regular polish and wax. This will protect the paint.

" Get the underside of the car jet-washed at least once in a month.

" Remove moisture-retaining matter/object from the car.

" When in humid areas or in areas where a lot of salt is present give your car frequent washes.

Sticking to these simple rules will help prevent formation of car rust. This will keep the new look of your car intact forever.