What is the best way to sand cracks and crevices that have some surface rust on them. Places like the rain gutters and such that are hard to manipulate into.
Thanks, Matt

 

Get creative. Use wood paint sticks or popsicle sticks to wrap the sandpaper around them, or make minifolds in the sandpaper to duplicate the sheetmetal form. Some people may even use a Dremel tool, but they may cut gouges in the metal because of the high speed of the tool and lack of total control of the abrasive disc....

Prep is 98 % of the hard work required for a total paint job, and the most labor intensive part of it. No real easy way out for crack and crevice sanding, other than media blasting. Even if that is done, there is the risk the novice user may warp the metal from heat friction caused by the media hitting the metal for too long in one spot. good luck

 

Thanks for the ideas.

 

Have used dowels cut to desired length. Most auto paint stores have assortment of sanding blocks. Purchased 'tear drop' shaped sanding block and found it came in handy. Also, have assortment of felt 'bobs', come in various shape and sizes; cone, cylindrical, tree shaped, etc, and tube of greaseless abrasive, come in 80-320 grit, can get into some hard to reach places. As greg mentioned, get creative.

dave

 

Great advice. To add, around the rain gutters you may find some seam sealer. I removed mine where it had cracks and discovered some rust underneath. Removed the rust and applied new seam sealer. You can smooth it with some wax and grease remover on you finger to act as a lubricant.