Rust is oxidation that occurs when iron-based metals are exposed to water and air. Scheduling auto body repair as soon as you notice the orange, powdery substance on your vehicle is extremely important for several reasons, nearly all of which concern the car or truck’s safety. Learn why letting rust spread over your vehicle is never a good thing:

4 Reasons to Schedule Auto Body Repair Now

1. Affects Structural Integrity

Rust severely weakens metal. It replaces steel or iron with a flaky, thin, powdery substance that dramatically affects the structural integrity of your vehicle and therefore its safety. Scale rust is particularly damaging because it corrodes a metal surface to decrease its strength. Surface rust, in comparison, has yet to affect the metal’s structure and is easy to remove.

2. Damages Brake Lines

Because rust eats away at metal, it can eventually damage your vehicle’s brakes lines. Severely-rusted brake lines are a serious safety concern since it causes deterioration of the brake hoses via moisture and heat among other damage, which can result in brake collapse or failure. The breakdown of rubber hoses also causes brake fluid contamination.

3. Toxic Fume Infiltration

Rust that spreads throughout your vehicle can cause holes in the structure that allows toxic fumes to enter the cab. Breathing in toxic fumes may make you and your passengers feel dizzy and faint, which is particularly dangerous if you are driving on a highway or a busy city road because of the potential for a serious accident.

4. Decreases Resale Value

The many safety concerns as well as the cosmetic issues vehicle rust presents decreases its resale value significantly. While small instances of rust are easy to correct, a severely-rusted undercarriage or other large rust problem makes it incredibly difficult to sell your vehicle. It may only be worth selling for spare, non-rusted parts, if that.

Keep rust from overtaking your vehicle by scheduling auto body repair with Basic Auto Collision Team in Honolulu, HI. The celebrated auto body shop is known for outstanding auto detailing and repair services, as well as the quick turnaround times you need to get back on the road. Saturday auto body repair services are by appointment only. Call (808) 842-3966 to schedule your repair, or visit the website for a complete service list.