Alright guys I'd really like to save this bed and use it. It's only really got surface rust except for the front of it has one cornor that rusted through I know I can repair that.
My question is should I just sand all the bigger thicker stuff off sand it all the way or have it sand blasted? To get whole bed sand blasted is only $145 from local shop.
Next question if I sand blasted I'd primer it and paint it
But if I just sand the bigger more solid rust spots and coat spray it with that Rust-Oleum spray over rust stuff and than spray on bed liner?
What would you guys do?

 

What year and style bed is that? Some are more prone to rust than others just by design.The bed doesn't look to bad, structurally. $145 to sandblast that seems like a good deal. Sanding that by hand is going to be hell. I'd have it blasted, then prime and paint it. Are you planning to make a nice shiny bed, or use it for work? Drop in or spray in bedliner planned? The rust converter stuff hasn't ever really worked that great for me.

 

My goal is half ass nice it'll be a daily and weekend warrior.
It will be used and abused. I'm thinking just the spray in liner unless I can find a nice good deal on a drop in.
It's from a 1st Gen I believe PO said came from a 83

 

This looks pretty similar to my 94 which was used as a landscape truck, I pickled it in vinegar solution by hand.

Media plasting is going to eat at the subsructue, and could induce heat warpage (which shouldn't be a a big issue, but could cause some problems in the refit).

A chemical rust converter once the "flaking" portions are removed should prevent decay with which ever too coat you choose ( paint vs liner )

 

I'd definitely sandblast and prime with a good epoxy primer/sealer prior to paint. Get all of that rust out of there and seal it up good - it will last a long time. You don't have to paint it up fancy and shiny but the base work should be done to make sure it's functional for you for a long time.

 

That's how i deal with that type of rust. Don't be concerned about warping metal using media. That happens when the village idiot is blasting with 100's of psi. I blast at 120 psi and never any issues. Epoxy primer over the bed after cleaning with a phospho solution to neutralize the metal. A $4 bottle of phosphorus would be plenty. The bed itself would only require 1/2 a bag of media at most depending on what kind of unit you are using. I have a HF pressure pot and 5hp 18 CFM compressor for blasting in my wigwam. Poly on the floor so I can recover and reuse media

 

Why not just use some rust converter primer, and then paint? Specially if its going to be used as a truck should?

 

Because it doesn't work and will be rusty again in a year.

 

You could go to a pool supply store and get a bottle of muriatic acid. Douse the bed, let it sit for about 15 minutes. Rinse it with water, let it dry. The get a half gallon of POR15 and brush it on. Or use that phosphorus stuff and the POR15

 

I've restored a couple of vehicles that have stayed rust free for many years
If your looking to keep it from rusting again you basically have 2 options:
- Sand Blast
- Acid dip (Do NOT use muratic acid. Look up hydrogen embrittlement)

In the case of the pickup bed you have in the picture I'd personally go with sandblasting and epoxy prime
How does the bottom look?

Worst thing to do is sand (or wire brush) and paint. It'll come back in no time...