Underbody fettling

[Markvh]

Hi,
I'm going to be treating several rust spots on the underside of the car. The areas are small, say 20mm x 5/10mm max. (that's before I start scraping the paint off!). I intend to scrape off any lifted paint with small scraping tools, the areas are way way too small and inaccessible to use a fierce 115mm angle grinder but I know rubbing these small areas down with grit paper is going to be a right pain and will probably rub/scratch too far beyond where I have scraped back to the edge of the rust. Is there a small tool that would be really good for this? I can only think of a Dremel but I have only heard of the name, I've never even seen one so am just starting to research them. I can see that there are corded and cordless ones. And what type of heads to use? I can imagine that the sanding bands may be good but is there a head that can be used end on as well? I imagine it will be something akin to working like a dentist.
I hope that makes sense. Are there any members out there who could advise me on what I need? What type of tools, cordless, corded, types of heads etc etc. scrapers and so on.
Incidentally, when the spots are rubbed down, I intend to paint over with a rust convertor, then an epoxy mastic 2 pack resin primer.
Thanks very much in anticipation for your help.
Mark

[72BLUE]

I would try a powerfile. I used a Black and Decker one to derust the inside of the front panel/headlight area. The zirconia belts (off ebay) are better than the standard ones. Brilliant tools and along with the workmate, the only good thing that B and D make?????

Keith

[barkerwilliams]

Mark,

I found that an angle grinder and a wire brush cup worked beautifully. It must be a variable speed grinder though as single speed is too fast for the brush and too aggressive. I used a screwfix grinder at £44
https://www.screwfix.com/p/titan-ttb...-230-240v/3278
and a £4 M14 bolt on wire brush from toolstation.. https://www.toolstation.com/shop/Pow...2BBrush/p17385

- Must use eye protection
Very good results, quick easy and low cost.

Alan

[dickr]

Dremel, perhaps with flex drive for the small corners. But get a non-Dremel equivalent, much cheaper

Dick

[jakesmig]

I used an old wood chisel, 1" for large areas, 1/4" for tight areas, no dust, no problem. I found it so effective I used them to strip most of the paint off the car prior to a bare metal respray. Particularly effective when stripping off old underseal.

John

[new to this]

I would try a powerfile. I used a Black and Decker one to derust the inside of the front panel/headlight area. The zirconia belts (off ebay) are better than the standard ones. Brilliant tools and along with the workmate, the only good thing that B and D make?????

Keith

Keith

ive been using furm power file same as the B&D,but buy the belts from Toolstation for belt sander,then cut the belts in to strips i get 5 belts for the power file out of 1 sanding belt

Dave

[new to this]

i did the under side of my car last weekend using wire brush on angle grinder,then a couple of coats zinc primer,im also going to stone chip before i panit the top coat

Dave

[Scar]

I think Aldi recently were selling a spot sandblaster device... might be worth looking into.

[Phil S]

Yes a spot sand blaster is good, but you need a compressor that has a high output, usually above 10cfm.
Phil

[72BLUE]

Keith

ive been using furm power file same as the B&D,but buy the belts from Toolstation for belt sander,then cut the belts in to strips i get 5 belts for the power file out of 1 sanding belt

Dave

Good tip Dave! Are you using zirconia belts? If not, you must try them!

Keith

[Markvh]

Thanks for that. I'll get out my old chisels. I'm looking into power files and Dremels or equivelent now.

[Markvh]

Been looking into this a bit further now and now starting to look at getting myself a new angle grinder and using these 'clean and strip' discs. They are also available with a spindle to use in a drill so can be used edge on. Does anybody have any experience with these discs?
Thanks.

[barkerwilliams]

My limited experience of

clean and strip discs

is that the do a very good job but do not last long in use. Great in a commercial environment when you are paying for the operator, but costly for own use. I prefer more bang-for-my-buck as the saying goes.

But if your awash with cash then...….


Alan

[Markvh]

Does anybody know if the Clarke Power File CPF13 is OK or not? Also the Bosch GWS 9-115 P angle grinder. It's 900 watts, doesn't have variable speed, so wondered if it might be too powerful. Though I could do with a new angle grinder anyway.
Thanks again. Mark

[new to this]

over the years I've had B&D power file and furn also tried silverline not as power full as the B&D or the furn,but does have an adjustable arm,the weak point about the B&D is the speed controller,they burn out,but easy to bypass,you can also get replacement arms,the rubber wheel the bearing fails,the turn comes with three arms,the arms have metal wheels,bearings on the wheel still fail,but you've already got spare arms when you bought it

Angle grinders buy a cheap one from screwfix about £19 cheaper than the Bosch,but work well,I have three,one with cutting disc on another wire wheel and third with flapl wheel,saves time keep changing disc

Dave