Getting rid of rust. sander advice needed.

Wang · 31 Aug 2009 at 21:16

Hope someone here can help. A couple of patches of rust have appeared on the wings of my car, add to that a couple of mates have a similar problem and we are looking at sorting this problem ourselves (my car being the Guinea Pig).

Now watching programs like American hotrod, the always seem to use some sort of grinder/sander with a flexible disc to sand away at the affected areas. does anyone know where i can purchase such a device or have any suggestions as to possibly a more appropriate tool?

For info, the rust is only surface, i will be attemting to grind it down, treat the area then some filler and wet sand the area into shape.

Cheers for any advice.

Lummox · 31 Aug 2009 at 21:28

Wet and dry paper, used by hand

whitecrook · 31 Aug 2009 at 21:53

grinder with a cup brush ... ? depending on severity and size.

Lopéz · 31 Aug 2009 at 22:00

You can get flapwheels to go in an angle grinder or orbital sander. They're the best IME.

Or just use a normal random orbit sander (I have a Macallister one) with sanding pads.

Dureth · 31 Aug 2009 at 22:02

A sanding block with varying grades of paper will chew through paint and rust at an alarming rate, no need for power tools. Just make sure you get it all and treat with primer/anti rust before respraying.

slowrunner · 31 Aug 2009 at 22:26

80 grit paper will get everything off nice and quick, even by hand, untill you're left with good clean metal.

I then wipe it off with thinners (gets rid of any grease/oils/acids from your skin touching bare metal), followed by a high-zinc etch primer. Then go through the process of filler, primer and paint.

Lumeycom · 1 Sep 2009 at 01:07

Air needler > all

Clarkey · 1 Sep 2009 at 01:54

flap wheel or strip and clean discs. Oh and as I said just last week I think you don't wet sand filler. It will not only ruin the filler by introducing water to it, but it's just the wrong tool for the job, will take ages and probably leave a wavey finish. Initial filler shaping is best done with a 'cheese grater'* while the filler is at the cheese-like stage of hardening, then 120 grit or thereabouts. Finish sanding up the filler with 180 then go to HB filler/primer, sand that with 600 wet then you're good for paint. Remember to feather edge every stage to avoid 'mapping'.

* cheese grater..

mattyprice4004 · 1 Sep 2009 at 10:55

Manly way - angle grinder with wire brush attachment, and black Hammerite

slowrunner · 1 Sep 2009 at 17:03

Of course you could do it the easy way too, unbolt wing, throw away, bolt new one on.

Chances are the old ones rusted from behind so a repair will probably not last more than 6 months.

*Moangroan* · 1 Sep 2009 at 17:36

Are you sure its surface rust because it all appears to be like that until once you start diggin away. Unless it was a stone chip down to the metal that rust will be coming from the bottom.

Lopéz · 1 Sep 2009 at 18:28

slowrunner said:
Of course you could do it the easy way too, unbolt wing, throw away, bolt new one on.

Chances are the old ones rusted from behind so a repair will probably not last more than 6 months.

Unless it's the rear wings. Or they're weld on. Or unavailable.