Sandpaper or Wire Brush

[marcbr4]

I'm ready to restore the spare tire carrier for my M5. I've never done this before and was wondering if I should sand the rust or use a wire brush, or both? Any suggestions...

Thank you

[63t-cab]

Marc,it's hard to say without seeing the extent of the rust.you may want to have it sandblasted.

[N8N]

or you could set up an old garbage can as an electrolytic derusting tank and then when it comes out you just wave a wire brush at it, wipe down with metal prep, prime, paint.

nate

[jclary]

I'm ready to restore the spare tire carrier for my M5. I've never done this before and was wondering if I should sand the rust or use a wire brush, or both? Any suggestions...

Thank you

My suggestion is to figure out some way to sucker someone else to do it!...then you'll really have something to brag about!

[wdills]

A picture would be very useful for us to help you out.

If you have any significant pitting, I would recommend sandblasting. It is better able clean out the bottom of any rust pits. Once you have it all nice and clean, a couple good coats of epoxy primer will seal and protect the metal. Then a skim coat of filler or some high build primer (depending on the severity of the rust) on top of the epoxy will get everything smooth again.

If it is just surface rust you may get rid if it with just sandpaper and a wire brush.

Either way, once all rust is gone, a couple good coats of epoxy is a good base to start with for your finish work.

[tluz]

I like POR-15 or the various rust converting products. That way, the rust won't come back, pits or no.

[1954khardtop]

I use a wire cup brush on my 4 1/2" angle grinder for rust removal on parts like that. Clamp the part in a vise so you can use both hands on the grinder. The brushes will grab sometimes so hang on! The part comes out looking like it was sandblasted. Of course you need to wear your safety goggles, sometimes bristles come off the brush.

[Milaca]

Of the two choices, I would use a wire brush (preferably on a drill or hand grinder). Rust will wear out the sandpaper quickly whereas the wire brush will last a long time. I used a wire brush attachment on an electric drill to clean a rusty battery tray for my Hawk, then I applied two heavy coats of a primer made to adhere to rust (similar to POR-15 brand primer).

[marcbr4]

A picture would be very useful for us to help you out.

I added a few to my first post.

Thanks

[wdills]

Sorry guy, I was thinking of a part that got a finish coat of paint like the main body of the truck. For what you are working on a little time with a wire brush should do the trick. An alternative to a wire brush is a bristlle disk. They are made by 3M and have flexible plastic "wire" with abrasive imbedded in them. They don't shed wire like a normal wire brush and for me they last longer. The biggest one I have seen is 4.5" with a 5/8 thread so it screws right on most grinders. They make some different shapes that can get down in the inside bend.

Once the scale is off, POR-15 is a great product to seal up whatever is left.