Copper grease to prevent rust - advice please!

[Hayley01]

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!

 

[Astra99]

In my opinion, you have just shot yourself in the foot! Your insurance excess is £500, the cost of the repair is between £700 and £1000. When your insurance comes up for renewal, you will probably find your premium has shot up because you have reported an incident which may give rise to a claim. How many estimates did you obtain? Did you tell the repair shop this job was not going through insurance? Repair shops very often "load" quotations because it takes so long for some companies to settle invoices!

To prevent further corrosion, go and buy a pot of "Kurust" (or similar), an aerosol of undercoat and one of top coat to match the car's colour. Follow the instructions to treat the damaged area, and then you can save and have the work done when you can afford it.

 

[DaveHerns]

I'd use rust remover like Jenolite followed by some primer. If you have I year's NCB then you''ll be paying 100% of the premium next year as opposed to 60% ( 40% NCB discount in year 2) so you may it cheaper not to claim

 

[Peter.N.]

Any sort of grease will prevent it rusting in the short term - as long as it stays on there, it depends how long you leave it.

Peter

 

[Nige F]

Best way is to google someone like "chips away" who are on site small repair specialists - get a quote- A large bodyshop will cost £oads more for a small repair

 

[pete50]

It might be worth your while to ask one of the mobile dent fixers for a quote. I had two corners of my car done and it cost me £80 a corner. this was a few years ago so it will have gone up but it's worth a punt I would have thought.

 

[Hayley01]

Hi All
Thanks for all your responses so far. I have enquired with Chips Away and Autoglass mobile service but both said the damage is too extensive to do at the kerbside The damage to the paintwork covers an area of about 50cm x 50 cm but the only area where there is exposed metal is the tiny patch I mentioned in my OP.

I think I will keep shopping around for a few more estimates before committing to claiming on the insurance and will have a look at some of the products mentioned.

Thanks again.

 

[Tigercubrider]

Agree with the above - paying privately will almost certainly be cheaper than your excess and increased premium . Give the rusty bit a rub with emery cloth and apply a rust preventer like Krust . Then spray with anything to keep the spot covered, ideally get a match from Halfords or somewhere in a small can
It won't look pretty but would last

 

[lostinthelight]

Even if op does not claim they could possibly still end up with an increase in premium next renewal as a loss had occurred, all be it an uninsured one .
I was asked about uninsured losses while getting quotes last week, I hadn't a clue what they meant so asked and was told it was damage that had been repaired without claiming .
I guess they want to get an idea of accident prone the person is likely to be.
litl

 

[DaveHerns]

I was asked about uninsured losses while getting quotes last week, I hadn't a clue what they meant so asked and was told it was damage that had been repaired without claiming .

No-one would admit to that, surely?

 

[lostinthelight]

No-one would admit to that, surely?

Probably not but op has already declared.
litl