cleaning bare metal before painting

[fordsbyjay]

What is best to use to clean bare metal before painting? Sometimes I will use soapy water, rinse and dry which works well but if I have creases where the water can settle (like welds) then I have found rust starts down in the cracks below the new paint I add. I also tried some "wax and grease remover" that I got from a body shop supply store but I still got fish eyes in the paint when I tried it. I am trying to coat the body behind the front fender so it is out of site but I still want it to coat well and stay put. I just paint with a brush because no one can see it and I do not have any spray equipment. I was also thinking of trying some Por 15 in this area but I would have to order it etc.

Here is what I am up to, I want to close in my bracing but I want to paint it before I do.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/04/bracing2-1.jpg

[Riderz Cycle]

I would stick with the wax and grease remover like PPG's DX330 and you can use it with a scotch brite pad to scuff up your work then wipe it down again and blow it dry with an air gun if you can..