Barn Rescues and Auto Body Repairs: A Guide to Get You Started Repairing Cosmetic Damage

If you are a car enthusiast, a barn rescue can be a valuable project. These are cars that have been left to sit parked in garages, barns, fields, and warehouses. Often, they have very few mechanical issues and only need a little care. Though, one thing that you can be sure of is that they are going to have body damage. The following guide will help you get started with the auto body repairs your barn rescue project needs:

Inspecting the Auto Body

The body of the old car needs to be inspected before you can begin repairs and restorations. Some of the problems with an old auto body that you will be looking for include:

• Pitting on the surface of the paint
• Visible reddish rust spots
• Blistering on the surface of finishes
• Visible dents and dings
• Holes in the metal due to rust

Layers of dirt often hide the problems with a car that has been sitting. Therefore, you want to pressure wash the exterior to do a thorough inspection. Use a wide nozzle spray to do this and avoid causing more damage.

Locating Severe Corrosion

When you are restoring an old car, it is going to have some issues with corrosion. There are a few options to fix the corroded parts. Some of the issues with severe corrosion that need to be repaired include:

• Holes rusted through metalwork
• Issues with damaged floor pans
• Wheel wells that have rotted away

The issues with corrosion need to be addressed to stop deterioration. The rust needs to be sanded and the metal primed. This will stop the deterioration of the metalwork. For severe corrosion, you may want a professional auto body shop to replace the damaged sections.

Removing Trim Parts

The auto body trim parts also need to be repaired when restoring a car that has been sitting. These parts are often chrome-plated or have other finishes. Trim parts that will need to be removed and restored include:

• Front grill assembly
• Light housings
• Bumpers
• Emblems and lettering

Carefully remove these trim parts and set them aside to be restored. A good auto body shop can help with restoring these parts and reinstalling them to make your car look like new again.

The problem with the cosmetic damage to barn finds is that it is often corrosion and problems with deterioration. Therefore, you will want to call a professional auto body repair service for help with these repairs.