Sand blast or wire brush a rear?

[Bonnewagon]

I have a really rusty rear and I need to get it paint ready. I would sand blast but I am afraid of getting sand into bearings and seals. Tape would help but I don't trust it. Sand gets everywhere. Wire brush on an angle grinder is slow and hard to reach nooks and crannies. Are there any "rust reformer" type chemicals that would work on heavy rust?

 

[motorheadmike]

My thoughts for cleaning a rear:

 

[melloelky]

I've used evap-o rust before,it's always been with light to heavier but not scale.it requires soaking the part.it works.they sell a gel version that's designed for larger harder to soak parts.maybe the same fashion as paint stripper,you coat the part and throw plastic sheeting on it to stop it from evaporating/drying out.check it out.

 

[mikester]

The rear for my wagon had a decent amount of surface rust and a leaking pinion seal. I blasted it while it was together since I was putting new drums and backing plates on it. Threw in new bearings and seals and painted it all together. Im happy with the results but Ive always been a fan of sandblasting depending on what the piece is.

 

[565bbchevy]

If you don't want to sandblast it and there is heavy rust I would first use an angle grinder with a knotted cup wire wheel, it will take the rust off fast from the accessible areas.

 

[Bonnewagon]

I was wondering who would goof on the "rear" connotation first. Congrats Mike! I have used a wire wheel with great results but this rear never leaked anything. Thus, no oil to protect so it is super rusty. Melloelky that stuff looks like a winner. $30 at HF and it is bio-degradable. Wrap with plastic is what I do for paint remover so that makes sense. You just reminded me about NAVAL JELLY. I haven't seen that in a while but it works too. THANX!!!

 

[motorheadmike]

I was wondering who would goof on the "rear" connotation first. Congrats Mike! I have used a wire wheel with great results but this rear never leaked anything. Thus, no oil to protect so it is super rusty. Melloelky that stuff looks like a winner. $30 at HF and it is bio-degradable. Wrap with plastic is what I do for paint remover so that makes sense. You just reminded me about NAVAL JELLY. I haven't seen that in a while but it works too. THANX!!!

Face it, I am a six year old with a paycheque.

 

[Bonnewagon]

Hmmmm, the Evapo-rust GEL is hard to find in a big bottle like a gallon. But I will persist. It has great reviews.

 

[MrSony]

Im a fan of knitted wire cup and disc wheels. Id you want it schmoooth maybe use a roloc to clean it up.

 

[565bbchevy]

I'm a fan of knitted wire cup

I have found those are not abrasive enough.