I have a 97 z28 that has some rust starting to form on the bottom pretty bad. I want to wash it off and paint it. My first instict is to spray it with a power washer when it's on jack stands and then get under it and paint it with some spray paint. Let me know if there are any details or tricks to doing this that i should know including things that need to be covered up. Thanks

97 z28 30th anniversary with t-tops- stock for right now

 

Yours must be the only LT1 without an oil leak to coat the underbody with rust preventative.

 

I usually just spray it down with a power washer as you mentioned on the dirtier areas. I feel that doesn't do the best job - once in a while I'll go to a quality car wash (only in winter) and let whatever "anti-rust" stuff they claim to have spray the bottom of my car, etc. When I wash myself (or sometimes after rain or when I'm bored), usually I'll take a can of WD-40 and spray any areas under the car that look prone to rust (do not wipe the WB-40 off, just let it sit), and I spray as much of the exhaust I can (except headers). It works too - my first cutout before my current exhaust rusted/peeled/browned/etc, this one however is still entirely black and rust free. Of course, that's not the only place it helps - but that's where I noticed it the most.