Need help with paint (and rust) removal basics

[belaw]

I recently purchased a 1970 FJ40 and I know there's some rust hiding beneath the paint- I've got the tell-tale bubbling in the rear corners and other places.

I've never done body work before, and was wondering what the quickest way (other than blasting) to get the paint off and down to the metal? Should I use a stripper or abrasives, and which types???? I know this is basic stuff, but it's all new territory for me.

Brian

 

[spdwaver]

I recently purchased a 1970 FJ40 and I know there's some rust hiding beneath the paint- I've got the tell-tale bubbling in the rear corners and other places.

I've never done body work before, and was wondering what the quickest way (other than blasting) to get the paint off and down to the metal? Should I use a stripper or abrasives, and which types???? I know this is basic stuff, but it's all new territory for me.

Brian

Use a stripper if you do not want to do the laborious task of sanding; there are a lot of products out there that are quite effective in removing the paint down to the metal.

If you do not want to use stripper (or the stripper is ineffective), then use a random orbital sander with 80 - 120 grit discs to get it down, and a wire wheel to get into the dimpled or curved areas.

You can also get sanding disc attachments for an angle grinder that are quite effective in removing paint quickly.

 

[Toyo FJ40]

Wire wheel on a 4 1/2" grinder works well. It will remove the paint and light rust without removing any metal.

 

[fowldarr]

Wire wheel works good on a grinder, careful with the sanding disk, as they will take off metal. DA sander works well, stripper, if you don't want to sand...so yeah, what everyone else said.