Best paint & rust removal tool? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

292farmer · 12-21-2009, 11:04 PM

i have a 4 1/2in electric grinder 12,000rpm and im wondering what is better for removing paint and rust a wire brush attachment or sand paper attachments? i started my tailgate and i went threw 5 sheets of 40grit in 20mins and only did a10in sq section

is that normal? sandpaper was from walmart... should i rough up with wire brush then sand paper then wire brush stubborn rust again? is that normal time frame? implanning on doing frame this winter, and started tailgate to familiarize my self with the tool, and find most effective way. thanks

1968SWBBigBlock · 12-21-2009, 11:09 PM

I would not use an angle grinder to sand the body - it could cause body warpage from the heat of the sander - it will work great on the frame and heavy metal

292farmer · 12-21-2009, 11:41 PM

ok thanks was only doing tailgate anyways, i wanted to get used to the tool bought it today, heard they can have kick back so wanted to get used to it, im doing inside tailgate then im rhino lining it after i smooth it out. should a good wire wheel handle the frame? i know its gonna take time, just want to make sure i at least got right tool attachments, i dont have a compressor, and landlord does'nt want chemicals used (understandable) and cant afford a sand blasting, sooo im doing it the fun way.

mtdave2 · 12-21-2009, 11:47 PM

if you are only doing the tailgate....sandblast! i found a local place that will do things like that for under 100. well worth it imho...

sorry just reread your post...if you are only doing the inside to line the bed...id use a wire wheel. that metal is thick, you shouldnt have a problem

**special-K** · 12-22-2009, 08:07 AM

Where`s the landlord?I`d use stripper,Just cover the area around and under the truck to catch the evidence.The wire wheel and coarse sandpaper will leave scratches all over the surface.The paper is getting ate up because of the higher rpm.I use a palm sander is I can`t use a DA.
A wire wheel will work great on the chassis.

mrein3 · 12-22-2009, 10:21 AM

Here is what I did do and will do again when stripping a panel down to bare metal.
3M makes a disk called the "Sandblaster". They cost $10 - $12 each. You also need to purchase a $5 "adapter" for your angle grinder. The adapter is reusable (I'm still on my first one) and each disk will last for approximately one panel.

So far I have stripped my truck hood, both fenders, and both doors, both inside and out with this system. They take paint, primer, and bondo off quick and don't warp the panel.

Of course quickly treat the bare metal with epoxy. Or acid then epoxy if it was rusted. And of course wear a respirator when all that paint dust is in the air - you don't know what is in that paint.

If you're like me and have more time than money, these purple pads work great.

I don't work for 3M.

12-21-2009, 11:04 PM	#1
292farmer Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: stoddard nh Posts: 693	Best paint & rust removal tool? i have a 4 1/2in electric grinder 12,000rpm and im wondering what is better for removing paint and rust a wire brush attachment or sand paper attachments? i started my tailgate and i went threw 5 sheets of 40grit in 20mins and only did a10in sq section is that normal? sandpaper was from walmart... should i rough up with wire brush then sand paper then wire brush stubborn rust again? is that normal time frame? implanning on doing frame this winter, and started tailgate to familiarize my self with the tool, and find most effective way. thanks

12-21-2009, 11:09 PM	#2
1968SWBBigBlock Active Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,643	Re: best tool? I would not use an angle grinder to sand the body - it could cause body warpage from the heat of the sander - it will work great on the frame and heavy metal __________________ 1968 SWB 454 + .040, 490HP x 540 FT pounds of Torque 10-1 Kb Forged pistons, recon rods w/ ARP wave loc bolts 781 heads Ported with 2.19/1.88 SSTvalves Lunati 60204 cam, Micro Trol lifters, Ported Edelbrock Performer Rpm manifold armor coated, Pertronix Triple Strike Ignition Holley 770 Street Avenger carb,Headers armor coated Built by Watson Ruppel Performance in Sarahsville Ohio. Hardshift Tranny Built Turbo 350,TSI 10" 3000 stall 12 Bolt Eaton Posi 4.10 Richmond Gears moser axles 18.5" x 31" Hoosier Pro Street Radials ET Classic 5 Wheels - polished Power Steering, Power Brakes,Disc Brakes,Tach & Gauge Dash, Tilt,Factory Air (gone) Custom Paint & Body Work Special thanks to my wife, my son and my money tree

12-21-2009, 11:41 PM	#3
292farmer Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: stoddard nh Posts: 693	Re: best tool? ok thanks was only doing tailgate anyways, i wanted to get used to the tool bought it today, heard they can have kick back so wanted to get used to it, im doing inside tailgate then im rhino lining it after i smooth it out. should a good wire wheel handle the frame? i know its gonna take time, just want to make sure i at least got right tool attachments, i dont have a compressor, and landlord does'nt want chemicals used (understandable) and cant afford a sand blasting, sooo im doing it the fun way.

12-21-2009, 11:47 PM	#4
mtdave2 newly minted old timer Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Hudson WI Posts: 3,521	Re: best tool? if you are only doing the tailgate....sandblast! i found a local place that will do things like that for under 100. well worth it imho... sorry just reread your post...if you are only doing the inside to line the bed...id use a wire wheel. that metal is thick, you shouldnt have a problem __________________ ____________________________________________ 72 c20 longhorn 65k org miles and counting! 69 k10 Suburban Last edited by mtdave2; 12-21-2009 at 11:49 PM.

12-22-2009, 08:07 AM	#5
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,852	Re: best tool? Where`s the landlord?I`d use stripper,Just cover the area around and under the truck to catch the evidence.The wire wheel and coarse sandpaper will leave scratches all over the surface.The paper is getting ate up because of the higher rpm.I use a palm sander is I can`t use a DA. A wire wheel will work great on the chassis. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~ Last edited by special-K; 12-22-2009 at 08:09 AM.

12-22-2009, 10:21 AM	#6
mrein3 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Center City, MN, USA Posts: 3,253	Re: best tool? Here is what I did do and will do again when stripping a panel down to bare metal. 3M makes a disk called the "Sandblaster". They cost $10 - $12 each. You also need to purchase a $5 "adapter" for your angle grinder. The adapter is reusable (I'm still on my first one) and each disk will last for approximately one panel. So far I have stripped my truck hood, both fenders, and both doors, both inside and out with this system. They take paint, primer, and bondo off quick and don't warp the panel. Of course quickly treat the bare metal with epoxy. Or acid then epoxy if it was rusted. And of course wear a respirator when all that paint dust is in the air - you don't know what is in that paint. If you're like me and have more time than money, these purple pads work great. I don't work for 3M. __________________ '70 cab, '71 chassis, 383, TH350, NP205. '71 Malibu convertible '72 Malibu hard top Center City, MN



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