28 replies to this topic

[mike.]

I'm in the process of rubbing down the underside of my car to the metal. Theres alot of surface rust under there but its all coming off easily with wire brush attachments for my drill and grinder.

I originally bought a big wire brush like this from machine mart which cost me about £7!:



It worked well but after doing under the wings its just disintegrated and now just fires wire at me. To avoid buying another £7 brush that wasn't going to last long, I bought a £4 knotted wire brush off ebay like this that I thought would be less likely to break apart because the wires are twisted together:



It came in the post the other day and the packet lists potential uses and one of them is for dressing welds! To me that suggests it capable of removing metal.

Would one of these damage the metal of my car? Because the last thing I want to do is gouge bits of metal out or remove metal where I don't need to.

Thanks

Mike

[Boycie]

I use those knotted brush attachments all the time- they are savage for sure, but won't damage metal. I would never use it on a panel like a rear 1/4 unless I was cleaning off loose rust/ grot.

However, for the underside it's ideal- removes everything from the metal very quickly. Remember your eye protection

[mike.]

Alrite thanks.

I'll just go easy with it at first and see how it goes...

[mini93]

used the knotted attachment on my angle grinder to remove paint etc beforem works well...if you dont concentrate on one area for too long it should only remove surface stuff.

dont forget your overalls and gloves, iv been attacked by my wire wheel twice now, once left a nice big tare in my hand where it snatched, ripped out my hand and then flicked back into it. Other time was another snatching incident, fired off towards my upper leg...luckily it wrapped up in my overalls and stopped before ripping up my... upper leg

Edited by mini93, 07 September 2010 - 09:35 AM.

[Miniowner123]

just used one to do my floors with no problems, takes right back to bare very easy but i don't see it going to far unless you stay on one area for way too long. just wear goggles, gloves etc, o and dont forget a long sleeved top, as when they do lose a bit of wire, it can stab pretty far in, which i found out the hard way

[lrostoke]

They work well although I prefer this type, just seem more controllable, those cup ones kickabout a fair bit.

http://www.screwfix....vel-100mm-Brush

[hutch8282]

On Mine I have used the same one irostroke suggested. It works quality. Removes under seal filler rust and is fine on the entire underside.

Again the only thing is a wire or 2 come out now and again but if you do as everyone suggested by using all the protective gear they are great.

Cheers

Hutch

[mike.]

I've been using it today and its working well.

Until the bearings in my grinder went. At least I think they have, the thing vibrates so much it hurts!

[panelbeaterpeter]

The type Irostoke linked is best, but as has been said wear thick gloves, sleeves and goggles, ideally full face shield as the wires tend to fly everywhere at great speed, and you end up pulling them out of your skin. They're fine for removing rust and gunk, but take a while for removing paint. Careful around little brackets and things as they are quite violent and can easily bend and misshape small details and edges.

[mini93]

and overalls! and its not the bending of small brackets you need to worry about most, as i said, can sometimes snatch and flick the grinder towards you

[panelbeaterpeter]

Yes but if you're sensible you can avoid that, just keep it away from edges, and keep it so it turns away from an edge rather than into it. If it catches your clothes it's not much fun..

[mike.]

Yeah its been working ok, its slipped a couple of times but its under control.

Like I said though i'm pretty sure the bearings in my grinder have gone because its started to vibrate alot!

What do people reckon about a cheapo grinder like this: Link

If not i'll probably spend another tenner and get this since it was a mini magazine best buy: Link

[mini93]

Yes but if you're sensible you can avoid that, just keep it away from edges, and keep it so it turns away from an edge rather than into it. If it catches your clothes it's not much fun..

better than catching you skin, iv had both, 2nd time hurt alot less... not always easy to keep away from edges, even thing you would think it wouldnt normaly grip it will, a 2mm lip was the one that got me last time when iv done the same before and it was fine too

[panelbeaterpeter]

Yup I've had the skin one too, just the once, was enough to make me wear welding gauntlets next time!

Mike, I'd always say buy a good grinder, makita are good. I got 2 in a buy one get one free from Screwfix, the two lasted about a week.

[mgb1978]

Another agreement with lrostoke for the disc type.
They are miles better than wire brush attachments that you get for drills. Will take out all rust and take the panel back to good solid metal.
Also get a couple of the sanding flap wheels from Ebay...great for panels where you don't want to damage the surrounding paint too much.
http://cgi.ebay.co.u...=item1e5e2952dd

Just an example, I didn't search for the cheapest.