I am looking to do this. What products did you end up using for the rust and paint.
Used Castrol Super Clean first then pressure washed it to get some of the big chunks and the oil and grease off.
A lot of wire brushes from Harbor Freight and a chipping hammer. (like for welding) It gets the big stuff off and gets into the small places that are hard to brush.
Rust-oleum Rust Dissolver gel.
Says leave on like 30 minutes.......I left it on all day. Put it on before work and spray it off when I got home with my electric pressure washer. Pour it into a bowl and use a paint brush to put it on. Used 4 bottles total I think. Leaves a white residue so after probably 5 applications and I was done with the gel I used super clean and pressure washed it off.
Corroseal Rust Converting Metal Primer.
Paint it on with a brush. It looks like milk going on then turns black. Let it cure. Used a little over a half of a gallon.
Rust-oleum Professional gloss black spray paint. Gloss because it cleans easier. Used about 5-6 cans.
After 1 application for 30 min to an hour. I could see this wasn't going anywhere fast.
During an application. Left this on for about 10-12 hours. Put it on thick.
After probably 3-4 10-12 hour applications.
Finished and painted gloss black.