Paint Stripper/Sand Blast

[ReBeL]

Hey guys!

I have an 856 ebay project bike on the go and I’ve found out the hard way that stripping off the paint is one tuff job. (it was repainted poorly and in a bad colour) I’m now down to the original paint and it just won’t come off. I’m using LePage - Poly Super Stripper with no luck/progress. I have even tried brake fluid!!!
Is it safe to sandblast the frame? I’m wondering about the aluminum being too soft. Is this a concern? Or is there a paint stripper you recommend?
Thanks

ReBeL

[kiwi]

i wouldnt sand blat it may bead blasting is safer for aluminium?

[ReBeL]

I have been plastering the frame with the stripper about every 20 minutes or so all night last night and finally went to bed at 1am.



I woke up to the fact that I need a garage at 4:57 am when the fumes worked their way upstairs. [smiley=bleh.gif]



Its -7C outside and all my widows are open and the bike and stripper are now outside. But on the plus side, it’s done! LoL



It finally worked…after sticking it to the frame for six hours and another 4 soaking in the basement.



I have another question too. I have a friend that wants to paint his frame. It’s a carbon fiber frame but he wants to strip it. Is there a way to remove paint from carbon Fiber or is he just going to have to give it a light sand job/prime/repaint?



Thanks for the help Kiwi!



ReBeL

[Dennis]

ReBel,

to strip carbon, light sanding is about the only way to do it. I've done/had it done to a couple of frames now. it ain't easy, which is why I did one, and had a painter do the other.

you must sand off the clearcoat/paint, whatever is on there, without scratching the carbon fiber below it. it is tedious, hard work with lots and lots of dust, so you must wear a respirator.

good luck, its rewarding if it comes out right, but takes a long time. for practice, try sanding the clear coat off a carbon bottle cage or something before attempting a whole frame.

[smiley=groucho.gif]