No matter how cautiously you drive, it’s difficult for your car to remain unscathed throughout its entire service life. All it takes is a careless motorist, inconsiderate passersby, or a rogue shopping cart, and all your efforts would have been for naught. Fortunately, dent removal and scratch repair are relatively inexpensive. However, they do have to be done immediately after the incident to prevent rust damage.

Where Does Rust Come From?

Rust is the reddish or yellowish form of iron oxide that forms on metal when it oxidizes. Given enough time, metal will inevitably rust when exposed to the combination of air and water. Other elements, such as salt, can hasten the development of rust. It is especially critical to keep this in mind during winter, when deicing agents that contain sodium are commonly used.

On vehicles, rust is prevented by painting over the body, which is made of sheet metal, and treating the unpainted, nonstainless steel parts of the undercarriage with rust proofing that is usually done at least once a year. However, when your car gets hit and the paint cracks or chips off, the metal underneath becomes exposed to the elements.

What Should You Do Upon Seeing a Ding?

As mentioned earlier, accidents are sometimes unavoidable. However, what you do after will determine whether or not rust forms on your vehicle’s body. Even if you park in a climate-controlled space, where moisture is kept at an absolute minimum, you will have to take your car outside eventually. The only way you can prevent rust is to address dents, dings, and scratches right away by having them fixed by a dent removal specialist.

If you need a reputable auto body shop for dent removal services, look no further than Branson Collision Center in Taney County, MO. Serving the Tri-Lake area, this shop specializes in scratch repair, dent removal, and other body services to keep your vehicle looking as if it just rolled off the assembly line. Give them a call at (417) 335-3775 today or visit their website to learn more about their services.