By the looks of things my 1200 wagon still has most of it original 34 year old paint! Everytime it rains I lose a bit more :) I want to start sanding it back and coating with primer as time permits. Whats the best way to sand it back? By hand? What power tools are available for this sort of thing.

In other words what do I need?

Thanks!

first thing first if it is not a good idea do do it a bit at a time, because if you are going to drive it around in primer the primer well absorb all moisture it comes in contact with and bring on new rust
i am guessing you are not going bare metal
so i will say use an orbital sander with 180grit then use a high fill primer then block sand with 600 to 800 grit to get all the imperfections out

Ah right....I'll better set a day or 2 aside then and just do the whole thing

If your gonna do the whole car and want it looking absolutly schmicko you will need more then 2 days! It took me 1/2 year to to my 260Z and that wasnt the best job either.

On my 1000 wagon atm. Im using 80 grit paper on either a air orbital sander or a electric orbital. Then going to 180, then high fill primer.

Ha ha yeah. Well the wagon cost $400 so I just need something to stop it rusting where all the paint has washed off for now. I'll work on something better later when i can take it off the road for awhile

Just wipe it over with thinners and then spray it will some clear of your choice. It will stop the rust and keep the stock old untouched charm instead of the old and dodgy repaired look.

ha ha thats a godd idea except theres heaps of surface rust already! I sprayed fish oil over the rusty patches which has done a good job but you can imagine what it looks like :)

For example......




Its a bit worse than this now

Ok another idea, Sand off that surface rust with a orbital sander, if there is any more 'engrained' rust, treat it with a rust killing product. Then goto a good auto shop or even a paint shop and get a areosol can of a simmiler colour to yours. You can prime it first if you like but if its only gonna be a temp solution i wouldnt bother!

i'll was about 2 say the same thing sand it off then get the paint on it