Frame Restoration

I have started to clean up the frame now that I have the body off. I am using a 4 1/2 inch grinder with a wire cone shaped brush. It seems to be doing a pretty good job of getting the flaky stuff off and most of the rust. My question is what are my next steps, can I use a degreaser for my power sprayer to make sure all the rust dust is gone before I use my $75.00 rust cap paint and is there an easy way to paint the bottom of the frame without taking the motor and trany out and flipping it. Any suggestions would be helpful.

Thanks

 

I'm far from being an expert, but the 3000 psi pressure washer did a good job on mine. I put the drivable chassis on jackstands and applied the rust encapsulator to the underside with a creeper.

 

Greg the easiest and best thing to do would be to pull the motor and everything. If you have the body off the rest is easy. I didn't flip the frame but I stripped it down to nothing, sandblasted it and then set it up on sawhorses and painted the top , inside and then got on the floor and painted the bottom.

 

how hard is it removing the body of a 73 commando?

 

I really didn't want to put out the money to rent an engine hoist and stand, and its really hard to find anyone to sandblast a frame around here. Whats the best way to relive the pressure on the springs before removal.

 

I guess I could rig a pulley system too the rafters in the garage. Then I wouldn't have to rent an engin stand. Can you purchase pulley systems?

 

The sandblasting is not necessary just the way I did it. Harbor freight has them, you can lift the engine and then set it on a wooden stand. I used Eastwood rust encapsualtor on it. You can go to my photo bucket account in my signature and check out my rebuild.

 

Thanks Mike and Russ for the help. I will check out your pics Mike thanks for the help.

 

I vote for pulling it all out to do it properly. I flipped my frame to do the underside.....the neighbors also get to help with my projects !!! You can check my pics in my sig. , I'm still in process....

 

Evans how did you clean the differential before painting and what kind of primer is that. Any hints on relieving the pressure on the springs?

 

Cleaning was a learning process...front axle I used 14 cans of brake parts cleaner..rear axle went to the car wash and only took 2 cans of brake cleaner. Primer is Rustoleums Rusty metal primer , I bought a gallon of it and brushed it on. It smoothed out nice , the paint is Chassis Black from local place called BAPS , also brushed on. When you jack the Jeep up the pressure is relieved on the springs from the shackles swinging inwards, all you should have to do is jack it up (by the frame) and unbolt them.