What action should be taken if a vehicle has corrosion before starting the refinishing process?

When preparing a vehicle for refinishing, addressing any corrosion present is essential to ensure a long-lasting and high-quality paint job. Treating or repairing the corrosion is critical because rust can spread underneath the new paint, leading to further deterioration of the metal and compromising the integrity of the refinished surface.

If the corrosion is simply covered with paint without proper treatment, it will continue to corrode, which may cause the new paint to peel or bubble, ultimately damaging the finish and potentially leading to more extensive repairs later on. By treating or repairing the rust, you remove any existing corrosion and can apply primer and paint that will adhere properly to the surface, ensuring a stable base for the refinishing process.

While washing the vehicle, ignoring the corrosion, or applying a protective coating may seem like viable options, they do not address the root cause of the problem. Washing may remove surface contaminants, but it won't fix any rust issues, and ignoring corrosion would ultimately undermine the quality of the refinishing. A protective coating may help in some respects but will not resolve existing corrosion. Thus, treating or repairing the corrosion is the most effective step to take before refinishing.