mine had surface rust and old black spray paint, and i used one of those sand paper wheels that goes on an angle grinder, takes some time but it does get the job done.
If i had it to do over again i would get it sand blasted, local place here quoted me about "ball park" of $70 for that much, to know they will get it all off and save on my time, i would have done that if i had to do over again.
Plus i didnt have an angle grinder, so i had to buy that, which is still a good purchase though since i can and did use it for other things on my trailer.