Rust forming on 2012 Nissan Altima 2.5 SL. Can this be stopped?

[Setec Astronomy]

I've never been able to find touchup paint in an auto parts store. I mean sure they have touchup paint, but there are so many colors, I have never been able to find the one I needed in the store.

You can go to the dealer, buy Dr. Colorchip here at Autogeek, there are also sites that specialize in touchup paint, like paintscratch (add your own suffix) and another one that I can't think of right now.

[DaveT435]

I agree Dr. Colorchip is definitely the way to go. On my Red Jewel Tint Camaro I bought touchup paint from the dealership and it wasn't even close. Dr Colorchip was a perfect match. I would take some solvent...mineral spirits or something similar and clean up the area. Then take a dremel find a small attachment, clean it out and if you can find a small container of metal prep at an automotive paint supply store put that on to help prevent future rust the cover with Dr Colorchip. It may take a couple coats to make it level. In that spot I would think your the only one that will notice it and that's because you know it's there. I've had greT success using this method.

If you decide to go with this method you want to order the Dr Colorchip so you have it before you start. Also I can help you with a little better method to use with the Dr Colorchip as a filler so you can get it level with the rest of the paint.

[Chicagoil135]

Sounds good. I'll check out Dr. Colorchip.

When I am sanding/prepping the area, do I prep only the area where I can actually see pitting, or do I have to sand down the areas that are only discolored by the rust?

Basically, do I sand everything within the defined area in this pic? Or more so just on the area where I see the pitting?

[Setec Astronomy]

I think some of that is rust staining on top of the surrounding paint. I'm guessing you don't have any polish on hand; if you are ordering the Dr. Colorchip from here, pick up a bottle of this and lightly buff the area before you start, that should clean up the rust staining so you can see the actual chip (or you could use an iron-eating cleaner):

Optimum Polish is a swirl remover, finishing polish & paint cleaner in one for the optimum shine! swirl remover polish, fine grade polish, final

I'm going to guess that this may remove the rust also: Optimum MDR Mineral Deposit Remover, water spot remover for paint, water spot remover glass

I'm just suggesting those two because they come in small bottles.

[Crispy]

If it were my car I would do the following:

Dry sand with 800 grit to remove surface rust and level the area.

Apply Corroseal primer/rust converter.

Dry sand with 800 grit to level surface.

Then apply paint and let dry 1 day minimum.

Now level with 1500 grit and buff/polish to high shine.

[57BORNTORUN]

IMHO, I would`nt use mineral spirits to clean metal prior to paint as it`s petroleum based. Wax and grease remover or lacquer thinner perhaps better suited.