Whats the best way to paint strip an alli frame?

[Bat-ass]

Whats the best way to strip the paint off an alli frame? Sand blast, bead blast, or sandpaper and elbow grease??

Also, whats the best way to re-coat it? Powder coat or re-spray?

 

Any pro's on this down here in Durbs?

[Iron]

Best way is sand blast it , then have its sprayed at a pro frame sprayer.

 

Cheapest way is to use paint stripper . and spray it your self .

 

Want a cheap finish or a hot cool finish is what you need to decide.

[scott]

hi

Best is to have the frame acid dipped to strip old finish off the frame ..... a sprayed finish will give you a smoother & higher gloss finish compared to powder coating . however powder coating will be the most durable

[patches]

Media blasting (whether sand or bead) will affect the integrity of your frame. Slight.. but still not the ideal way to strip paint. Chemical stripping is better for the frame.

 

Another thing to consider is whether or not the frame is just painted, or is it powder coated. If powder coated the chemical stripping will be long and tedious... but it is possible.

 

Some months ago I stripped one of my frames (powder coated).

 

Here's a link to another thread where I documented the process

 

My link

 

Scroll through until you see my posts (on pages 4 - 6)with pics. Most answers to your questions should be there.

Edited November 9, 2011 by patches

[Falco]

Don't know much about the subject, but won't powder coating add a lot of weight to the frame? It seems like a fairly thick covering compared to spray painting.

[TNOSE_E]

I have stripped 3 frames now. Use STD paint stripper. Coat frame with paint stripper and pop in black plastic bag. Leave for 20min then wipe with rag.

Repeat about 3 times to remove remaining paint. It is not a paint on wipe off process!

[Minion]

Don't know much about the subject, but won't powder coating add a lot of weight to the frame? It seems like a fairly thick covering compared to spray painting.

Assuming a layer around .2mm thick it would add around 40-80g to the naked frame.

 

I say, stuff the weight, chrome the the thing.

[patches]

I have stripped 3 frames now. Use STD paint stripper. Coat frame with paint stripper and pop in black plastic bag. Leave for 20min then wipe with rag.

Repeat about 3 times to remove remaining paint. It is not a paint on wipe off process!

I started my project out like that... only to find out the frame was powdercoated, not painted Took a lot more than 3x20min intervals... but it worked

[EigerSA]

media blasting an alu frame not a great idea unless you find someone who knows what they doing with regards to alu. as for an acid bath, i was never able to source someone to do it in Durban. In the end i just used elbow grease and paint stripper and went for it. when finally done i took it to for powder coating.

 

some notes on powder coating, tape up the threads! also the color you choose on the swatch may be slightly different on the frame. the finish will come out looking a bit heavy, so if you're in the mood, just lightly sand with 1500g water paper and then buff with polish, it leaves a finish that's stunning!

[Bat-ass]

Thanks for the feedback...

 

The resean for this re-spray is, i'v got new ZTR wheels and new Sram X0 / X9 2x10 groupset on my Giant XTC 29er hardtail. The frame is unfortunately pretty scratched (just surface scratches)and i want to bring it back to life to compliment the new stuff!!!

 

Maybe, a darn good polishing would be the sensible answer?? Any tips on rubbing compounds/polishes shining out scratched on a frame??

[scott]

meguiars make some great polishes ( not cheap tho ) can find at Makro / Midas / Builders Express

[The Drongo]

Whats the best way to strip the paint off an alli frame? Sand blast, bead blast, or sandpaper and elbow grease??

Also, whats the best way to re-coat it? Powder coat or re-spray?

 

Any pro's on this down here in Durbs?

 

SLC Engineering.

 

Bottom end of Shepstone road. Ptn 031 7056335. Make sure you plate your BB and all faced surfaces. Put sacrificial bolts in all threaded areas. If it is a dual sus, then leave bearings in their seats. You will have to replace these after.

 

DO NOT SANDBLAST. Ask them to put it in the shotblast container.

 

Powdercoating is your next step.

[Velouria]

Judging by some of the bikes I've seen, a high pressure cleaner seems to work well

[droo]

For the paint stripper approach, first peel off all the stickers. Then use an automotive paint stripper like Maroun's. You'll get it from a panel shop or similar. Paint will wipe off with a rag. Job done.

 

Respraying - take it to a panel shop if you just want a solid colour. Make sure they put 2 coats of clearcoat on it. Or break out the elbow grease and polish it up, you'll need a wax polish of sorts for the final polish so it doesn't oxidise again.

 

Add stickers and you're on your way.

[Nickzta]

Have a look at ceramic coatings as well.

 

They have some freaked out amazing things that they can do with Ceramic and it's like microns thick so wont weigh anything.

[kamikaze]

or....use the original paint as a basecoat. it works really well, simply roughen it with sand paper of a fine grit, then clean off with soap and water, rinse thoroughly, allow to dry, and respray.

Edited November 9, 2011 by kamikaze