Hi Scotty, I have some rust spots near the trunk of my 2016 Lexus RX 350 (around the spare tire--please see the red highlighted area in the photo). Should I be concerned?
Thanks!
Is that the interior of the vehicle?
It's not the end of the world, but try to find out why it's rusting. Do you have any water leaks? Is something rubbing there and wearing through the plating?
Yes, it's the interior and the bottom of the carpet is rubbing there and might be wearing thru the plating
devise a way to prevent further rubbing, and call it a day.
Well, … yes and no. You can’t stop rust, but you can substantially retard it. I use rust inhibitors. Here is independent propaganda on it:
https://www.practical-sailor.com/boat-maintenance/paints/corrosion-protection-coating-test
I use LPS-3, … it’s been tested on my sailboat, and on all my cars, … and it simply works! Period.
Primarily, this stuff was developed for machinery used to process meat - you know, blood and guts are so very corrosive - so it is safe to as humans, … approved by FDA (but I wouldn’t drink it!)
Anyway, what you do is clean the area with, … say, Varsol, than let it dry, … and just spray it on, brush it on, or what have you right after. Leave it in place. It will dry to the touch in a day or three. Done!
Best,
F.S.
First thing you need to do is to stop leaking water to the spot, since it is the reason for rust.
Postscript:
From your close up picture, it looks like this rust spot is on the joint of two sheet metal sheets - spot welded - and sealed with a sealer. No? If that’s what it is, … it is a sign of cracked sealer and moisture is coming up from underneath - capillary action. If that’s what it is, I would inspect the rest of the car along the seams joining two sheet metal sections of the body. You most likely will find more of such spots. After all, it’s a ‘16 Lexus. FWIW
F.S.