Stripping...Paint Off A Frame

Related:
Question
How-To / Instruction
sideshow
Profile picture for user sideshow
Posts
291
Joined
8/6/2009
Location
Keene, NH US
sideshow
Edited Date/Time 2/15/2019 4:00pm
Winter in NH isn't dialed right now, so I have the time to strip a frame of some unwanted paint.
BUT, I cannot find any good suggestions for paint stripper for aluminum frames.

Vital hive mind - what do you suggest for paint removal? And any fun tips?

Feel free to share cool photos of restoration projects or paint jobs too, show off your handy work!
|
Scrub
Profile picture for user Scrub
Posts
217
Joined
9/3/2009
Location
Elk Grove/Truckee, CA US
Scrub 1/10/2019 4:43pm
1/10/2019 4:43pm Edited Date/Time 1/10/2019 4:44pm
Use a good quality Aircraft Paint Remover/Stripper with a brush to get in the tight areas. Depending on paint you may have to use a small wire wheel in the tight spots where the paint gets thick. Dremel or drill will work.

EZ-OFF oven cleaner works on Anodized stuff,

Both methods can leave "blotches" on aluminum if you don't apply evenly. Sanding #600+ can help blend the raw finish.

Safety is key to not making an ER visit, both are nasty chemicals.

Good nitryl gloves
Well ventilated area. Remember you're probably gonna hose it down outside too. Don't kill your grass, just saying
Respirator
Safety goggles



2
sideshow
Profile picture for user sideshow
Posts
291
Joined
8/6/2009
Location
Keene, NH US
sideshow 1/10/2019 8:27pm
1/10/2019 8:27pm
Hot damn! Well, that is super helpful, thanks!
1
Big Bird
Profile picture for user Big Bird
Posts
2174
Joined
2/1/2011
Location
Oceano, CA US
Big Bird 1/10/2019 10:32pm
1/10/2019 10:32pm Edited Date/Time 1/10/2019 10:34pm
Sometimes forums just work. Other times they end up in pages after pages of arguing. I prefer the working kind. Well done gents. Oh, and an acid dip works too. Santa Cruz had one in the old powder coating facility.
1
Eric_McNeil
Profile picture for user Eric_McNeil
Posts
8
Joined
10/18/2010
Location
Mammoth Lakes, CA US
Eric_McNeil 1/13/2019 2:12pm
1/13/2019 2:12pm
Aircraft stripper has a tendency to evaporate quickly. Apply it a bit heavy with a brush and then quickly wrap it with Saran Wrap. It will give the stripper more time to work, then Hose it off in a safe place. Rinse and repeat until it’s gone. Use that stuff outside because it’s some nasty stuff.
2
Big Bird
Profile picture for user Big Bird
Posts
2174
Joined
2/1/2011
Location
Oceano, CA US
Big Bird 1/13/2019 5:45pm
1/13/2019 5:45pm
Eric_McNeil wrote:
Aircraft stripper has a tendency to evaporate quickly. Apply it a bit heavy with a brush and then quickly wrap it with Saran Wrap. It will...
Aircraft stripper has a tendency to evaporate quickly. Apply it a bit heavy with a brush and then quickly wrap it with Saran Wrap. It will give the stripper more time to work, then Hose it off in a safe place. Rinse and repeat until it’s gone. Use that stuff outside because it’s some nasty stuff.
I've always wondered about the "Hose it off in a safe place." part. Isn't that stuff super toxic to the environment? Or does it neutralize with water? Would a shop sink be more appropriate? Would your local water treatment plant worker smack you upside the head if he knew you did that? Anyone?
sspomer
Profile picture for user sspomer
Posts
4922
Joined
6/26/2009
Location
Boise, ID US
sspomer 1/14/2019 8:35am
1/14/2019 8:35am
for fun i looked up acid dipping prices. here's some random sheet out of oregon. if you're into the process and doing it yourself, ignore. if you want it done professionally and easily, seems like a good option considering how gnarly the chemicals are. $100-200 for a bike based on these prices maybe? not cheap, but not huffing fumes
http://www.metaldipping.com/prices.php
LukeD
Profile picture for user LukeD
Posts
26
Joined
8/27/2009
Location
Andover, MA US
LukeD 1/14/2019 8:50am
1/14/2019 8:50am Edited Date/Time 1/14/2019 8:51am
sspomer wrote:
for fun i looked up acid dipping prices. here's some random sheet out of oregon. if you're into the process and doing it yourself, ignore. if...
for fun i looked up acid dipping prices. here's some random sheet out of oregon. if you're into the process and doing it yourself, ignore. if you want it done professionally and easily, seems like a good option considering how gnarly the chemicals are. $100-200 for a bike based on these prices maybe? not cheap, but not huffing fumes
http://www.metaldipping.com/prices.php
@Scrub was dead on with his paint stripping method.

Having painted helmets, motorcycles and frames for 20+ years, I'll say that sending it out is worth way more in piece of mind and hassle than $100-$200, just to not deal with the chemicals. Next one I have to strip, I'm just going to send it out. Smile
Skerby
Profile picture for user Skerby
Posts
83
Joined
5/4/2014
Location
Ellensburg, WA US
Skerby 1/17/2019 9:12am
1/17/2019 9:12am
Anyone have any experience with media blasting? Seems like it would work pretty well with the right blast media.

Im considering this as I have a local PC/blasting shop and I want to make my frame raw. I don't think acid dip is an option in my area.
Big Bird
Profile picture for user Big Bird
Posts
2174
Joined
2/1/2011
Location
Oceano, CA US
Big Bird 1/17/2019 10:55pm
1/17/2019 10:55pm
Media can be many things, from crushed walnut husks and pure baking soda to the coarsest sand. A light sand blasting with all of the appropriate surfaces masked would work great with paint, but powder coat is basically a coat of plastic around your frame and would rather bounce that shit off. That being said, I've never personally laid into a powder coated frame with sand.
Big Bird
Profile picture for user Big Bird
Posts
2174
Joined
2/1/2011
Location
Oceano, CA US
Big Bird 1/17/2019 11:00pm
1/17/2019 11:00pm
Most of my media blasting experience is with bead blasting (With tiny glass beads.) of aluminum motorcycle parts.
Roy
Profile picture for user Roy
Posts
14
Joined
7/23/2014
Location
Nashua, NH US
Roy 2/12/2019 2:33pm
2/12/2019 2:33pm
Hey everyone!
I just finished restoring a 2005 Turner DHR. I went with sand blasting the frame-set. I couldn't find a super safe aluminum paint stripper and was affraid of the acid pitting or worst, weaking the aluminum. I used glass media and it worked out really well. I'll post some pictures of my DHR project.












5
Big Bird
Profile picture for user Big Bird
Posts
2174
Joined
2/1/2011
Location
Oceano, CA US
Big Bird 2/12/2019 7:55pm
2/12/2019 7:55pm
Nice blue. Is that Honda red or Ducati red in the second photo?
Roy
Profile picture for user Roy
Posts
14
Joined
7/23/2014
Location
Nashua, NH US
Roy 2/13/2019 1:03pm
2/13/2019 1:03pm
Thanks! That red belongs to my Ducati 996.


1

Post a reply to: Stripping...Paint Off A Frame