If it is heavy rust, 36 grit paper would do it. If it is pretty mild, even heavy surface rust but not pitted and attacking the structure, 80grit would do. Try the least aggressive grit first to minimize damage to the metal.
Just because you remove all the rust that you can see, that does not mean you have removed it all. Micro particles of rust remain and must be neutralized chemically to prevent problems down the road.
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