Frame Restoration- stripping clear coat

[Bos]

is the frame alu? if so, polish the frame out then leave it unfinished. as time goes by it will darken perceptively. as soon as you get to a point you happy with, clear coat it. if you want a faster affect, wipe down with sodium hydroxide (drain cleaner) but dilute it first and work in stages or else it may darken too much. just remember that adding a clear coat will make it ever so slightly darker. the only concern I have with a clear coat is it may "yellow" with age.

 

Thanks Eiger, I dont like the Dull look that the ali gets when left untreated. So I want to coat it with something.

[CharlV]

Semi Hi Jack On!

Gents ,please have a look at the Giant CFR-Team 1999 model (600 shimano ), What do I use to strip paint of the frame (not sure if its alu or steal ) and what do I use to strip paint on the composite fork ?

Edited May 30, 2011 by CharlV

[Caerus]

Semi Hi Jack On!

Gents ,please have a look at the Giant CFR-Team 1999 model (600 shimano ), What do I use to strip paint of the frame (not sure how to determine if its alu or steal ) and what do I use to strip paint on the composite fork ?

 

 

Did you try a magnet?

[EigerSA]

a magnet will stick to steel, a magnet will not stick to alu. Just use a normal paint stripper for the frame, Durham stripped seemed to work great for RudoJ. As for the composite, (just my opinion, I'm no expert!)I would be very cautious in using a stripper, rather wet sand with a fine sandpaper until you get past the paint, then re-spray.

[CharlV]

Did you try a magnet?

 

Caerus my booi! Why didnt I think of that , mmmm I'm going to Edit that one, before some one else notice TX

[CharlV]

a magnet will stick to steel, a magnet will not stick to alu. Just use a normal paint stripper for the frame, Durham stripped seemed to work great for RudoJ. As for the composite, (just my opinion, I'm no expert!)I would be very cautious in using a stripper, rather wet sand with a fine sandpaper until you get past the paint, then re-spray.

 

Tx EigerSA

 

Planning going Black !like...............................

[EigerSA]

that a matt black finish? would look interesting with a high glass black on the fork

[CharlV]

that a matt black finish? would look interesting with a high glass black on the fork

 

mm keep you posted tx

[brussel]

as I said early, it's how I understood how anodizing worked. do you work in the industry? how would it hold up against powder coating? it just works on alu, is that right?

 

I dont work in the industry but have had things anodized and done it at home with small parts that I have machine for telescopes (another hobby )

 

it is MUCH tougher than power coating, but it cannot easily be removed without blasting or acid etching. Titanium can also evidently be anodized, but the process is different as far as I know. But it looks like this on Titanium, rather interesting pinks and purples...can look really nice or really bad http://www.instructables.com/image/F6MXA2CFUVSFZLX/Anodize-Titanium.jpg

[EigerSA]

interesting! how do you do it at home? I got an alu frame that I was thinking about getting that "gun blued" type of colour. the one thing I worry about is i got some climbing stuff that's anodized, and that stuff hasn't coped well, is it a case of more "coats" for tougher finish?

[patches]

as I mentioned earlier, the oxidised layer of aluminium that is formed when anodized is extremely hard. The process can be done at home with supplies available from a hardware store and a chemist.

 

here's a link I found on how to do it:

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/69755-home-anodise-setup-and-diy-light/page__hl__anodise

[CharlV]

Just to spice this up ,has anyone investigated the chance of "Chroming" the bike totally ?

[THE HULK]

I was planning on initially restoring it completely. Would have done it of frame was my size. I've approached two panelbeaters in my area and both said it wouldnt be a problem, even easier if you send the frame in alongside a vehicle that needs a clear coat or so

 

 

 

That I dont know, but it would be nice to find out. Think a clear coat is necessary to protect the frame against scratces etc.

 

But thanks anyways, I dont think I did a bad job at all. Now to find that 19" frame for a single speed project

 

Hi, it is not necessary for a primer before clear coat. Primer is used before a base coat.

[Hairy]

Tx EigerSA

 

Planning going Black !like...............................

 

I was/am thinking along the same lines with the Inbred and the Shova. Matte Black with gloss black graphics.

[leet22]

I was/am thinking along the same lines with the Inbred and the Shova. Matte Black with gloss black graphics.

Mee to on my Reign

[brussel]

interesting! how do you do it at home? I got an alu frame that I was thinking about getting that "gun blued" type of colour. the one thing I worry about is i got some climbing stuff that's anodized, and that stuff hasn't coped well, is it a case of more "coats" for tougher finish?

 

nope one coat is all you get, but climbing stuff (and I have tons of that too ) really is abused I mean I hardly drag by bike up the side of a mountain (well never intentionally!) but imagine what climbing stuff would look like if it was painted!

 

To do it at home I sued a piece of alu roof flashing as the cathode, battery acid and an aluminium welding rod to hold the piece, pop them both into the battery acid run DC current from a battery charger through the solution and voila! Then I used clothes dye and into boiling water...worked pretty well and would be even better if you could get hold of the proper dyes.