Hey, I just picked up the original breather off my '72 grabber. Body-wise everything is in nice shape, but it is quite dirty and lacking 90% of the paint. There is also a bit of rust. I was wondering what i should do to get it all cleaned up prior to putting a fresh coat of paint on it? And also paint brand advice? what has worked best for you? Thanks.
Best bet would be to have it media blasted to remove the rust and paint. I have always had good luck with VHT paints.
if your referring to the air cleaner. just use an angle grinder of you have one and wire wheel it to the bare metal. then clean with mineral spirits or alcohol. high heat primer and high heat ford blue paint a few light coats (any auto parts store should carry old ford blue spray paint rustoleum brand)
That's what I did. I wire wheeled it with a die grinder then cleaned it with brake cleaner. Sanded, primed, sanded again with finer grit, primed one more time then shot it with Rustoleum Ford Blue engine paint.
Would it be possible to just get a strong enough sand paper to sand the rust away and then paint? it doesn't have to look great, just better than it looks now.
If I were you I'd just spend some cash on a cheap grinder and get a wire wheel. Expecially if you plan on having this car in the future, I use my grinder almost every day on diff. Projects so it's your choice in the end. But yes it would take it off but you would see the grit marks and end up having to sand it like 6 different times to get rid of the grit lines but like I said it's all what your looking for, here I can pick up cheap grinders for like 30 bucks onsale
My dad might have a grinder, i'm not sure. The only problem is not having work or income, i have absolutely no money to spend. i'm scraping change up just trying to keep the car running, and will be borrowing money for paint if i dont get work soon. My dad also has a sand blaster so i might use it, but i hear sand blasters can also cause pitting
Depending on the blasting media you use...Yes it can cause pitting. If you have no funds for cleanup and prep materials...Try this...Do you have easy off oven cleaner??? It will remove weak/loose paint...Spray it down...Let it soak for 20/30 minutes, Scrub and rinse with fresh water (wear gloves and goggles) Do you have any CLR Lime and scale remover??? This will cut the loose rust (you will still have to scrub) This will leave the stubborne rust. You will have to sand this off. You do need to neutralize the rust you cant remove...Gotta spend some money here and get some rust ban (napa sells it) Apply it as directions state...Prime and paint it and you will have a fairly cheap acceptable restoration...Good luck!!!
