Firstgens.com

So, I've decided I'm just going to go ahead and pull the rearend while I have the gas tank out. I know my 42 year-old mono leafs should probably be replaced, but I'm on a budget -- as always, right? Actually, I have some multi-leafs out of a 74 Nova, but they have tons of surface rust, and I'm concerned about jacking with the ride height.

Anyway, my question relates to cleaning up the leafs, perches, plates, etc. Is there a more efficient way that wire wheeling everything? The wire wheel works for me for the body and frame rails, and small stuff. But, having kind of a puny compressor, when I take the wheel to those leafs, it ain't gettin the job done... It would take me months.

Should I find someplace to media blast everything for me?

Thanks!

Coarse 3M flapper disks on an electric drill work pretty good when you're on a budget.

I'm not questioning that advice - just for my own education: what makes the 3m pads work better than a wire wheel? I just read a few of Jim's old posts recommending them as well. Sounds promising.

IMO the abrasive works better than wire and the disks wear as you use them exposing fresh abrasive.

I think the discs wear out too fast (in my limited testing). When it comes time to unrust my subframe I'm using a needle scaler on the most of it and sand blasting the hard to reach spots.

The ones I like are not flapper disks.

Like these http://www.google.com/products/catalog? ... EoQ8wIwAg#

Menard and other stock them in double thickness with a built in 1/4" shank. I use it in a die grinder.
They flat vaporize any rust or paint real quick.