Rust issue

OK so I am working on a 1950 Chevy truck, somebody else has already done a lot of work to it. Well as I'm getting into it, I've found several spots where rust has been kinda sanded and filled with mud. The top had been chopped and the mud was cracking. I figured it was on too thick. I was right in spots, but there was a lot of rust pits.

So my question is how do I remove it? I've tried grinding, all it does is turn it black and ruin the disc. Doesn't turn it into shiny metal. I've tried a wire wheel. Now I'm think about using a sand blaster. Would one of the small hand held top load units work?

I'm attaching pictures, I'm sure somebody here has been through this. Any help would be great.

Thanks

 

Rust, something that we live with in Cleveland and many other places besides Northern Ohio.

When you say that "tried grinding, all it does is turn it black and ruin the disc" probably means that you need a co****r grit than what you are using. Or more RPM, try a 36 to 80 grit disk to take out the pits. BUT be careful, you may take off more than needed, leaving nothing to work with.

Realistically, you do not need to remove all of the rust pits. That is what body filler is made for.

Sand blast what you can. Sand/grind what you have to. Use a primer/sealer* to treat the bare metal prior to paint preparation.
The small hand held sand blast units are frustrating. Too much fill, too little progress. Buy a larger sand blaster or borrow one.



*Zinc Chromate is my favorite rust treatment. You don't need much. Google Zinc Chromate... Aircraft Spruce handles it.

 

I've been using a 36 and 24 grit disc on air and electric grinders. Thanks for the info on the hand held blaster. That's the opinion's I need. I hate to spend $60 on one of those when Sears sells a small hopper type for about the same price.

Thanks

 

You don't need to smooth out the rust pits in the metal, but you do need to get that rust and blackness out of there. That will come back to haunt you if you don't, that's what made the mud crack the first time. I would suggest sandblasting, it's just not possible to clean out all of those pits with a grinder. Sounds like you're already on the right track.