Chemical Stripping of a bike - Advice pls

[BreadPitt]

I've just got a quote from DeRustit in Montague Gardens and for a dual sus frame I'm looking at about R400 which is great value. Has anyone else here done this with them and any thing I need to know in advance. Obviously remove everything including bearings etc. Also has anyone keot their bikes raw after a stripping or best together a clearcoat added? 

[Zebra]

I have used them before on Petroliana (vintage petrol pumps stuff) - they did a good, affordable job.

Cheers

Chris

[Dirt Tracker]

Watching this as I'm thinking about using them as well for a frame. Got no advice though. 

[BuffsVintageBikes]

I would not advise chemical dipping on a full suspension frame unless the people doing it are extremely careful with how much material gets removed. I've seen instances where the brazing has been eaten off steel frames because they were in the tank too long and the cable guides have fallen off during the process.

Bare in mind Alu is even softer. You could see your bearing guides getting slightly larger if you don't somehow protect them when dipping.

My advise to you would be to have the frame vapour blasted at Dennes Engineering. Make sure to use duct tape in all your bearing recesses or leave old bearings in the frame and replace them afterwards. VB is far less aggressive on Alu and gives a great finish for primer.

[Dirt Tracker]

Glad I watched this fred as I was just about to go down this route as well. I'm going to give those guy a ring and see what's what. Thanks. 

[BreadPitt]

On 9/7/2023 at 8:43 AM, BuffsVintageBikes said:

I would not advise chemical dipping on a full suspension frame unless the people doing it are extremely careful with how much material gets removed. I've seen instances where the brazing has been eaten off steel frames because they were in the tank too long and the cable guides have fallen off during the process.

That's not good. I'm guessing they were brass brazed?