Jump to content

Raw Aluminium Finish


thijsrm

Recommended Posts

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

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.]

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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. ?

images.jpg.88dbbdd34cafc4d46d398984305bda1d.jpg

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 refrencewkwd9gxg95861.jpg?width=640&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=bc020625f54093ec2c2401ab09451851f2e6d181Post image

Edited by Mongooser
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

 

1824-2.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

Before.jpg

Now.jpg

Edited by Fleming
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
Settings My Forum Content My Followed Content Forum Settings Ad Messages My Ads My Favourites My Saved Alerts My Pay Deals Help Logout