So I might be picking up a different rear axle for my 4runner this week and I'm trying to plan ahead (see my other thread). Any how it will need to be cleaned up some (remove some surface rust) and repainted. Now I've toyed with the idea of sanding it down (by hand, good ol apartment living) and then rattling canning it or using some of that 3m rubberized protection stuff. I've also toyed with the idea of just taking to a body shop and let them deal with the whole repainting issue (price is an issue as well).
Now if I was to do it my self what grit sand paper will I need ( I have some fine/medium/coarse grit left over) and what would you guys recommend for paint. I have some rustolem primer and hammered paint left over from when I did my sliders that I could use or do you guys recommend something else?
On sanding do I go from a coarse down to a fine or is it the other way around.

Thanks guys and if I missed this topic after searching feel free to flame me. I don't burn easily (or spell correctly/use proper grammer).

 

coarse -> fine.

use a wire brush to clean the rust before you sand it. find a harbor freight or northern tool & buy a $20 angle grinder. get a wire brush & some sandpaper flapper disc's.

 

If you are sanding yes you go from coarse to fine. Could you use a wire wheel attachment on a battery drill to make it go faster?

Rob

 

sas'd runner painted his with rustoleum, then some black. i think it turned out nice (check out the bracing)

 

I painted mine a bit ago. I used a wire wheel on a cordless drill, spray canned some primer, then brushed on Tremclad rust paint. It's holding up pretty good!