How to remove rust from car door hinges
Removing rust from car door hinges, and from the leverage devices of our car in general, can be necessary if we have not kept up with routine maintenance over the years. After a few years of use, especially in areas where there is a lot of rain and the temperature drops several degrees below zero, the hinges of car doors, hatches and bonnets and boots can start to suffer. They start squeaking, sometimes very loudly, become stiff and hard to open and close. There is also a danger of rust, which must be countered immediately, removing any that has already formed and creating conditions that will be prevent any new formations. Whether these signs are already present or not, it is advisable to carry out regular maintenance and lubrication on the locking and rotation systems in order to eliminate rust from car door hinges.
Things you will need
Fast acting degreaser
Sand paper
Screwdriver
Set of spanners
Step 1
ACTIONS ON DOOR HINGES
The first important step is to clean and degrease the external parts of the door hinges, as they are often coated in hardened and dried grease, sometimes with the formation of dark sludge and, just as often, a fine layer of rust. This operation can be carried out with WD-40 Multi-use product, but if the deposits are particularly thick and hard, WD-40 Specialist Fast-Acting Degreaser can be used, rapidly removing grease, oil and dirt without leaving any residue. Complete this first step by wiping with a cloth or paper.
Step 2
RUST REMOVAL AND PREVENTION
If you notice rust, you must act quickly to prevent it from spreading and damaging the metal. The extent of this operation depends on how much rust has formed and, in the most serious cases, may require radical removal of part of the paintwork, right down to the bare metal, followed by the application of rust inhibitor and spray painting. In less severe situations, we recommend very light sanding of the rusty part and application of a film of WD-40 Multi-use product to protect the metal from rust and corrosion, penetrating and lubricating blocked parts, eliminating and protecting all surfaces from humidity. It removes grease, tar and glue from any non-porous surface. Apply regularly to prevent rusting.
Step 3
LUBRICATING THE HINGES
Check the heads of the screws or bolts which (in some cars) fasten the fixed part of the hinges to the bodywork. It is not uncommon for these fastenings to come loose. Use a screwdriver or suitable spanner to tighten them. The next step is lubrication. The hinge pins are often protected by a plastic cap, which you must remove. WD-40 Specialist Anti-Friction Dry PTFE Lubricant can be used for this. It dries quickly, leaving a dry film on the pins that provides excellent lubrication without attracting dust, dirt or grease. Lastly, refit the protective caps (if present) on the pins. The horizontal guide arm which slides inside the door must also be lubricated with the same product, but WD-40 Specialist High Performance PTFE Lubricant is also very good.
Step 4
BOOTS, BONNETS, HATCHES
These are also mounted on hinges and have different systems to hold them open, cushion movement. etc. Rotating parts (hinges, etc.) must be maintained in the same way as the doors, using the same products indicated above. Particular attention should be paid to the damping rods (small oil shock absorbers) found in some cars, which keep the front bonnet or the boot lid up. The steel rod rarely becomes rusty, but often tends to stick. Treat it with WD-40 Specialist Clean Application Silicone Lubricant, which does not attract dirt and has excellent lubricating properties to ensure perfect movement of the parts. If it has lost compression and no longer holds the bonnet up, the system must be replaced.
Step 5
SLIDING DOORS
Some cars and vans have sliding doors that move along the side of the vehicle when opened. The hinges, joints and pivots should be treated as indicated above and the runners along which the door slides should be carefully examined for any foreign bodies, then vacuumed, washed, dried and lubricated with WD-40 Specialist High-Performance PTFE Lubricant. If any stiffness is thought to be caused by rainwater, WD-40 Specialist Silicone Lubricant may be useful.
The uses shown and described for WD-40 Multi-Use Product were provided to WD-40 Company by the users themselves. These uses haven’t been tested by WD-40 Company and do not constitute a recommendation of suggestion for use by WD-40 Company. Common sense should be exercised whenever using WD-40 Company products. Always follow the instructions and take heed of any warnings printed on the packaging.
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