I think I finally caught up on this thread. This is what happens when work and other priorities (or what one thinks is his priorities) take over.
I have to say Ryoken may be the second root of all evil. But All his advice and equipment recommendations are true and correct.
I've upgraded from a 26 gallon compressor to a Devbliss 220v 60 or 80 gallon unit. I think he recommended zinc chromate to me.. on man, 5 years ago. maybe longer. Lol. Mine is more yellow than green however, and I can't even find it locally, had to order it online.
I've now got a Lincoln mig, a synchrowave, a thermal dynamics plasma cutter, clekco clips, rolok wheels, and 4 angle grinders (because Im too lazy to switch heads, so I just keep a cut off, grinder, a cup, and a flap) 7 body hammers, 20 dent pushers, drill press, bench grinder, 20 air tools, ...
Oh did I mention a stud welder?
And about 8 different sanding blocks of assorted shapes and sizes.
I then move onto a mini bead roller, a shrinker stretcher, and a brake.
And yes, this is all Ryoken's fault.
Did I tell you up until about 2 days ago, I did not touch one tool in the garage for 2 years?
<-- being lazy.
Anyways, thats soon to change. I hope.
But back to the original post.....
I think your doing yourself a disservice if your bending the metal back slightly and just trying to blast the metal under. you'll never get it all, I think you'd be better cutting it and welding it back. Cut off past the area a bit, with a cut off wheel, and remove it. Then you can grind the rust away cleanly, use weld through zinc primer (not the same as Ryoken Green!)and weld it back into place (with mig or tig , but it depends on what you have). Grind the weld smooth, RG (look Im giving it an acronym, Ryoken Green) it. Fill it if its low, with a little excess, and then grate it down to approximate. Then use a block sander to block it down to the proper height.
Im not very good, so I cheat with spray paint. The dollar walmart rattle cans are what I use- Just a quick hit from height, and let dry for a min, then block sand again. You'll see if you have high's and lows. If your noticing gaps as you sand (aka, you just block sanded a straight section, and you see a spot of black, its possible that that spot is a low spot. Double check it, and if necessary, either block until the black disappears (removing more filler) or make up a tiny batch of filler, and fill it in that spot.
Ive developed a mild disdain for heavy bondo work. I've also discovered, that I hate (HATE!) the home style sheet metal screw head slide hammer. Spend the 100 bucks, get the stud welder.
And ryoken, for all this evilness, you have to let me come down and watch/help you work so I can learn. I'll bring the beer.
