Using copper grease to prevent rust - advice please!

[Hannah01]

Hi Everyone,
Newbie here and a quick question - I scratched the rear driver side of my car against a metal gate in November. It's not catastrophically bad but I have been quoted between £700 and £1000 for the repair. Because of this cost, I am going to put it on my insurance, as I only have 1 year no claims anyway so not really losing anything and just need to pay the excess (£500) which is much more affordable than paying the repair.

My insurance company said that they won't cover it if they find that me delaying the repair has made it worse. I simply can't afford to just magic up £500 which is why I have delayed thus far but I do intend to get it done soon.

It is mostly superficial with a v. small dent. However there is a tiny patch of exposed metal, just less than 1cm sq. which has some surface rust on it now.

My dad previously gave me some copper grease for something else, saying that it would prevent rusting.
So my plan is as follows:
1) Use some WD40 on a cotton bud to gently and neatly remove the rust
2) Apply some copper grease - again gently and neatly with a cotton bud or small brush- to prevent more rust
3) Get the repair done when I can afford it - according to the insurance company there is no time limit


Can anyone see any major flaws in my plan? I'd be grateful for your thoughts!

[arco_iris]

Seal the bare metal with some nail varnish, then get an aerosol, (£1.49 in B&M Stores motor department) and spray 'OUCH' in big letters over the damage. All this will come off when the repair is done.

HTH.




PS,
WD40 doesn't remove rust. Water based, could potentially make it worse!
Cotton buds are for babies not cars.
Copper grease prevents seizures in tight-fitting metal-to-metal parts.

[Rorschach]

WD40 isn't water based.

[Cantseeitfrommyhouse]

The type of damage you're describing isn't £500 to repair anyway. It's just clowns taking the p*** out of you (1. cos you're a laydehhh, and 2. they know it's "an insurance job") me thinks.

If you google "Bilt Hamber Hydrate", this stuff turns rust and bare metal into a rust proof coating and will stop it perforating. Other rust converters are available.

Insurance will sting you big next time if you claim against your own policy! Regardless of NCD etc. This is why protected NCD is just another money spinner for them because you're still obliged to tell them about the claims you've made which is what they're assessing your risk on.

[wine~o]

I had a lot worse damage to my car about a year ago. Take it to a good local body repair shop. Don't tell them it's an insurance job because they will at least double the price.

Mine needed a new front bumper, repairs to the offside front panel and foglight ... including re-spray £ 504. £ 200 was replacement parts.

[Hannah01]

Ok thanks everyone. I wonder if living in London has something to do with the markup on the repairs?

[OchAye]

With excess of £500 and claim at worse £700-1000 I would not claim. It is not that you lose your no claims bonus, but you are down for 3 or 5 years having to declare you made a claim. Shop around. The cost may be that one or more panels have to sprayed in full, and how much denting the scrape has done. And as everyone else said, do not mention insurance claim.

[toolbox]

Get some abrasive paper "wet and dry" from halfords, clean off the rust and get some primer from the same shop and paint over it that will do for the time being.
Also worth getting a quote from one of the mobile scratch and dent removal companies if it is light damage they will do it at home for you and cheaper than a body shop.

[Cantseeitfrommyhouse]

Get some abrasive paper "wet and dry" from halfords, clean off the rust and get some primer from the same shop and paint over it that will do for the time being.
Also worth getting a quote from one of the mobile scratch and dent removal companies if it is light damage they will do it at home for you and cheaper than a body shop.

Primer is not an effective moisture barrier me ol' china.

[toolbox]

Get some abrasive paper "wet and dry" from halfords, clean off the rust and get some primer from the same shop and paint over it that will do for the time being.
Also worth getting a quote from one of the mobile scratch and dent removal companies if it is light damage they will do it at home for you and cheaper than a body shop.

Primer is not an effective moisture barrier me ol' china.

Granted but it will hold the worst back for a few months.

[Bob225]

pics of the damage ? where are you in London ?

I would not go through insurance as they will screw you come renewal especially if your a new driver

There are plenty of decent independent body shops not just the big boy chains and most don't mind painting/prepping used parts

Primer is porous and soaks up moisture