In Used Cars Simulator by DreamWay Games, you can remove rust from vehicle bodies using two supported methods: grinding it off manually with a disc sander or paying for service at a Body Shop. Simply spray painting over rusted metal does not eliminate rust, and skipping rust removal drastically reduces the cash offers you receive from buyers.
Methods for Removing Rust
The game provides both a manual hands-on approach and a commercial service to restore corroded vehicles.
| Method | Required Location | Required Equipment | Cost Factors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manual Grinding | Anywhere (Garage / Field) | Disc Sander & Sanding Discs | Upfront tool purchase and consumable replacement discs from the Hardware Store |
| Body Shop Service | Body Shop (marked on the map) | Vehicle transported or driven to shop | Service fee calculated as a percentage of the vehicle's net worth |
Method 1: Manual Rust Removal with the Disc Sander
Introduced in Update #28, the manual rust removal mechanic allows you to grind away rust yourself rather than hauling every wreck to a repair facility.
- Travel to the Hardware Store and purchase the Disc Sander tool.
- Buy extra sanding discs at the same shop. The grinding discs wear down during operation and must be replaced once depleted.
- Approach your vehicle and bring up your radial tool menu, where the disc sander is stored alongside your basic tools.
- Equip the sander and aim at the rusted bodywork. Click and hold to grind away the rust.
- Monitor the on-screen user interface, which tracks the vehicle's remaining rust percentage as well as the current wear level of your equipped disc.
Grinding by hand requires time and consumable discs, but it eliminates the need to pay commercial repair fees for every abandoned wreck you recover.
Method 2: Professional Service at the Body Shop
The Body Shop was added in Update #13 alongside abandoned wrecks and towing mechanics. If you do not want to spend time grinding metal panel by panel, you can outsource the work.
- Locate the Body Shop icon on your world map.
- Transport the car to the location. If the vehicle is an abandoned wreck without an engine, use a tow truck equipped with a winch to haul it onto the bed.
- Pay the Body Shop fee to strip the rust from the bodywork. While at the shop, you can also have an engine installed if the chassis lacks one.
Keep in mind that the Body Shop fee scales based on a percentage of the vehicle's overall value (though developer patch Update #20 lowered this baseline cost by 20%). On higher-value cars, commercial restoration costs can cut into your profit margin.
Why You Cannot Just Paint Over Rust
A common issue players encounter when flipping abandoned chassis—such as the Rada Rocket or Piat Funto—is spending money on new parts, fresh paint, and washes, only to receive offers topping out at $400 to $700 on a car normally worth $5,000 or more.
Applying fresh spray paint over a rusted chassis merely disguises the cosmetic color; it does not clear the rust condition in the vehicle's data. Buyers calculate their purchase offers based on underlying structural inspection parameters. If the rust level remains untouched, customer offer algorithms treat the car as severely degraded salvage regardless of its new paint coat. You must eliminate the rust with either the disc sander or the Body Shop before listing the car for sale.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I buy the disc sander and replacement discs?
Both the disc sander tool and replacement sanding discs are sold at the Hardware Store.
How do I select the disc sander once purchased?
The disc sander is automatically added to your radial tool selection menu alongside basic maintenance tools like the sponge and dent repair tools.
Does spray painting a car clear the rust status?
No. Spray painting over rust leaves the rust condition intact. You must grind it off with the sander or pay the Body Shop to clear it before painting if you want full market value.
Can I remove rust from an abandoned car that has no engine?
Yes. You can either sand the body manually wherever the chassis sits, or load the car onto a tow truck with a winch and bring it to the Body Shop, where you can both clear the rust and install a working engine.
