refinishing a steel tray

[SeptemberSquall]

hi all

i have a tray back to suit my new 81 Hilux.

it is made out of steel rhs/box section tube
with a checkerplate floor

it is currently painted black
but the paint is all scuffed up and there is some moderate rust bubbling the paint off in some places.

the rust is crusty in some places but not affecting the structure yet

how is the best way to remove the existing paint (sand, sandblast, stripper, etc)
clean the rust back to clean metal (sand, converter, acid)
and refinish the thing? (powdercoat, paint acrylic/2pac)

want it to be affordable, i have access to 12cfm and acrylic gun.
if going 2pac i would need to get it sprayed etc. professionally

[Ben Wilson]

Do you want to use it as a ute or some sort of mini truck?

If you want to use it as a ute, I'd give it a quick wire brush, then have a look at the POR-15 range of metal finishes..

[SeptemberSquall]

ute
needs to be presentable and durable but not show smooth.

[-==L=a=N=c=E==-]

marine carpet? and wire brush the rest?

[hi-ace]

Get it all bead blasted. When I did my Hi-ace up, it needed it. And the guy primed it so it was ready to paint.
Then paint it, and it'll be right for a long time.

[Fattony]

you could buy a new tray of me LOL, or do what we do here when a referb is needed, wire brush the floor and use a orbital sander to get any bubbled rust of the Side and rear coamings. Coat the floor with a nice thick anti slip paint, (it has rubber in it) and paint the side and rear coamings to the colour of your chocie

[SeptemberSquall]

Get it all bead blasted. When I did my Hi-ace up, it needed it. And the guy primed it so it was ready to paint.
Then paint it, and it'll be right for a long time.

how much did this cost?

[hi-ace]

You'll have to check in your local area, but it only cost me about $100.
You know, a friend of a friend.