Raw Aluminium Finish

[thijsrm]

Hey Guys,

Looking for the best and most economical way to strip paint on on old hardtail and convert it into a raw aluminium finish?

First prize would be to send it in somewhere (maybe sandblasting?) and second prize would be DIY.

Any advice?

Thanks

[fanievb]

https://diyshop.co.za/products/duram-durastrip

read the instructions before use (and wear gloves)

[Wolfie1]

Paint stripper does wonders, alternatively any powder coating company has an acid bath that remove paint like almost immediately.

[BuffsVintageBikes]

My advice would be to take it to a blasting company and have it Vapour Blasted or alternatively blasted with aluminum oxide. Then get ready to do the hard work.

[DIPSLICK]

1st prize as above, acid bath

[MongooseMan]

Just watched this yesterday, if you're willing to DIY it a bit:

 

[porqui]

DO NOT use any kind of blasting on aluminium.

It will leave a dull surface which you are going to struggle to remove.

I am a great believer of Plascon's "RemovAll" - use as per the instructions.

You can even apply it with your bare hands rather use a brush tough.

[TNT1]

I knew a guy who had a cannondale with this finish on it. 

 

Worst thing I have ever seen. You just looked at it and it had fingerprints on it. Honestly, you simply could not keep that bike clean.]

[BuffsVintageBikes]

13 hours ago, porqui said:

DO NOT use any kind of blasting on aluminium.

It will leave a dull surface which you are going to struggle to remove.

I am a great believer of Plascon's "RemovAll" - use as per the instructions.

You can even apply it with your bare hands rather use a brush tough.

I don't think you get RemoveAll anymore. I've been looking for it for ages.

[thijsrm]

Thanks, I would probably like to send it in so a 'professional' can do it.  Any suggestions?  Perhaps a carbon repair workshop could do it easily.  I'm in a sectional title so I don't have much space to be stripping paint.

[Trevz]

Can you not apply a clear coat to the bare aluminum afterwards to prevent having to continuously clean up fingerprints etc. ?

[Mongooser]

15 minutes ago, Trevz said:

Can you not apply a clear coat to the bare aluminum afterwards to prevent having to continuously clean up fingerprints etc. ?

did exactly that on 3 different frames, spraycan clearcoat rubs off after a few months, so best to get a 2k-2 part clearcoat for cars if you plan to seal it,  2 bikes ive done with the rustoleum for refrence

Edited August 3, 2021 by Mongooser

[Eddy Gordo]

Car Mag aluminium polish should work well. You can also use toothpaste to clean and polish. Use a cloth dab and then gently rub in. Rinse off with warm water.

[CdT85]

Autosol is any raw aluminium frame's best friend.

For the frames  i did I used  a green 3m pad and WD40 for the initial polish, and then autosol to finish it off.

If you want to clear coat, ou will need to use a self etching 2k clear coat. rattlecan won't be durable enough.

 

[Eddy Gordo]

Damn, how can I forget about autosol????‍♂️

[Fleming]

I did this to my Trek Roscoe about 8 months ago. Used the Duram paint stripper mentioned above and autosol polish. All in it was about 16 hours of labour. Definitely worth it.

Before and after pics, with a few components changes.

Edited August 5, 2021 by Fleming