I’m off out to get some Nitromors…. Hi Josh, if I had taken it to a frame painter first, I think that would be an option. 16 days ago. I’ve got about 99% of the paint off of an old Marin Riftzone. The top coats of lacquer and paint came off very easily but the undercoat is a lot tougher. Any kind of painting might have an effect on the warranty. While I was working, I was reminded of the bicycle frame that I built, and the effort required to sand the frame and remove excess brazing material. 🙁. Your nasty face will be sufficient to strip the paint off. Years of painstaking work? Laquer will help keep the finish for longer. Forum Rules I’ve spent the day frustrated that the paint on my Cannondale is still very much on! A long day if it’s a FS frame as they’re fiddly and you’ll need to mask (or remove) the bearings. A proper PITA? 3. I’m doing my Cannondale one way or another. Think I’ll Nitromors the bugger, then have a go at just getting it to look reasonable, before going mental with the aluminium polishing malarky…. So will a powdercoaters dip, strip, polish and laquer? 1 • WIN THIS BIKE!! The general process went like this: Full spray in upright position Scrape down, wire brush, full cleanup Full spray in inverted position (upside down) Using vigorous and speedy strokes with the emery cloth and sandpaper was the key to bringing the fork back to life. Have it done professionally? As you can see from the photos, the spray paint appeared to be hiding rusting and pitting on the fork blades. Get a can of self etching primer, tape off the area and put two good coats of the stuff. Really stubborn little flecks can be encouraged with a sharp point (like a needle). The main sections of paint will come off very easily – it can actually be quit disturbing the first time you do it as the paint makes noises, bubbles up and falls away before your very eyed!! On the other hand there is nothing stopping you from touching up powdercoat with paint. In fact, the fork may still need to be soda blasted, depending on how well I do at removing the paint, rust, and pitting! People used to make fun of me for having my dirt bike frames powder coated but after years of riding, the coating is not rubbed off the frame where my boots rub. Smear the shoe polish onto the scratched surface and spread it to fill in the scuff. Contact Us 😉. When I purchased the bike, I knew it had a number of issues, the horrifically painted steel fork being one of them. believe me , ive done every frame on my bikes and paint does not hold up. Any tips for stripping; Nitromors? It’ll be getting a Reba, as I’m selling the Lefty. Then, if you have a buffer, or access to a polishing wheel, you use that, but you can use metal polish by hand. One of me bikes is looking decidedly tatty, and I was wondering about stripping the paint off it, and polishing it up or something. How to remove spray paint from dirt bike plastics. I cannot wait to see the results along with the final build! I’m doing my Cannondale one way or another. like that old vertex that keeps changing it’s spots! In my case, I used some ronseal stuff which you leave for plus 6 hrs. Stripped a Cannondale rear triangle ages ago and it looked great – paint peeled off with minimal nitromoors. I would recommend, to anyone contemplating stripping a Cannondale frame, to have it done professionally. Tips for removing spray paint from a bike frame? The bare alu bits are looking ok just ‘brushed’ tbh. Before venturing out into this unknown territory I did some research to determine what materials and tools I would need for the job. Premier Partners for Singletrack issues & exclusive subscriber perks, Metcheck MTB Weather Forecasts At A Glance, Singletrack Cycle Of Good Inner Tube Belt, Slicy Products Smooth Tyre Inserts, Sealant and Valves – Reviewed, 9 Bike Locks, Chains and Anchors to keep your bike safe. While this bike's frame is made from duralumin, a form of aluminum alloy which needs no paint because it cannot rust, the bike's fork was steel. Wearing a mask is a good idea, since you will be creating a lot of dust in the process. Excellent for removing rust, dirt, and varnish, stripping paint from exterior woodwork, and cleaning stone. 4. Here's the … Anyone heard about soda blasting? The topic ‘Stripping paint off an alu frame- any tips?’ is closed to new replies. One reason is it’s tatty; I noticed a fair patch of paint has fallen off the disc mount, and another is to get rid of the Cannondale branding which attracts the attention of too many scrotes. Keying up the frame ready for painting; Final clean; Hanging the frame ready for application Prepping the dirt bike frame after it has been stripped, will involve . i’ve had two frames soda blasted and i’d highly recomend it,just had another done this week and dropped it off at the powder coaters yesterday.frames have always come back looking brand new. I can't say that for the factory KDX paint which was rubbed off down to bare metal after the first ride. it’ll only work on paint, not powder coat…. I’d call it a day’s job. So everything that's attached to the frame needs to come off. You have to use clear lacquer afterwards otherwise the aluminium will oxidise. Just be careful to wet the frame thoroughly, spray on the cleaner and let it work, then hose it off and lightly go over it with a clean cloth. Some tanks have multiple bolts, but a lot of them only have this one bo… The most important part of any painting job is the preparation. Bead blast and powder coat only coast £40 down my way. Avoid using metallic objects to "scrape" the paint off. Yes they do. Use a wire brush or scraper to get off the big chunks. Yep, if you get it stripped, polished and clear coated it will work out around £150. you would want to use no less than 360 grt, sand the area, clean with a prep solvent. If I were going to spend that much, I may as well get it resprayed for virtually the same cost. The only option seems to be something called Permatex Gasket Remover which seems to be nasty carcinogenic stuff, so I’m going to just sand the rest off. check out my rm frame in the member gallery. what type of nitromors are you using? also, it’ll only work on paint, not powder coat…. This topic has 79 replies, 34 voices, and was last updated. - Duration: 13:51. While this bike’s frame is made from duralumin, a form of aluminum alloy which needs no paint because it cannot rust, the bike’s fork was steel. You remove all the paint, then sand it down to like 1000 grit. So it will feel quite different once I’m finished with it. The Mx Factory Recommended for you Extra-coarse #4 steel wool is the go-to grade for removing thick or stubborn paint. Most of what I've read say chemicals (manually applied paint remover) is the best answer. Nooks, crannies and around the welds usually needs a few applications and sometimes working at with stripper/toothbrush. Probbly less for just a strip and clear lacquer coat. One thing to know:  it is most efficient to sand very quickly, mimicking the action of a power tool. shiney. Excellent work…I had to strip a 62 and 83 Schwinn…Had to do the same thing…time consuming but it worked..Greatly Enjoy your site….Thank You. Considering doing this for my bike. Sometimes paint is just quicker, easier and you don't have to wait until payday. At those "fine" abrasives the paint has little or no adhesion. You can also use some sand paper for those harder chunks that won’t budge. Because it is a pain in the bum. Ooh I’m getting right fired up for this. The trick is never to rub grit into the finish, and to try and keep the bike clean - so wash after every ride if you can. Nitromors will stip powdercoat, it just takes longer. Reckon this would be a good idea for paint stripping? The best place to have a bike painted is an an automotive body shop. A wire brush works fine in tight-to -reach areas just do not be too aggressive with it. That will be fantastic! They’re very highly regarded amongst the Fixierati here, and can do some lovely colours. Stripping the whole frame, blast and coat is not practical or affordable for everybody all the time. Maybe just leave it raw. It does take Zen-like patience. The blades are pitted near the fork crown. Posted: May 4, 2008 at 10:22 Quote: just so all you guys know,the new "professional"way to get any paint,dirt,grease etc. Armourtex near me in Hackney do a whole strip and powdercoat from £65 for an alu frame. (or is it just me?). Troy Lee D4 Carbon Helmet – The King of Helmets? Newsletter Settings, Viewing 40 posts - 1 through 40 (of 80 total). Again, I would contact the manufacturer about the specifics. Fresher and newer feeling if someone else does it and you go pick it up, rather than huge effort on yer own part? I was going to have it anodised but now I’m planning on leaving it raw. It does not corrode in anything like the way a steel frame would. I woon’t advise any sort of sand-blasting type method, as that can remove too much metal and weaken the aluminium apparently. It's only a little scuffed up. I can sell you a Kinesis frame that doesn’t need stripping 😉 Can’t sell that. I am curious, did you consider having this fine machine gently bead blasted (soda blasting, etc.) Painting over dirt will ensure chipping in the near future. It is always best to remove the old paint from the frame before applying new paint. shine it all. There is usually one large bolt located between the base of the tank and the very front of the seat. Unfortunately, whoever painted the fork did so while it was covered with rust. Id take it to someone who knows the score amd professional finish 🙂, Right. Allow the stripper to do the job. I’ll walk you through the steps of how to prep correctly so your frame looks great for decades to come. Then I remembered that fork blades are very thick and sturdy, given the job they must do, so I decided to keep going after observing the very nice brazing done on the dropouts and fork crown. Nitromors, a paint brush, a couple of toothbrushes, a load of newspaper, some safety specs/gloves and a damp cloth. What about polishing? This is a very similar process. Besides, it will also most likely require a lot of effort and time on your end. Do with the idea of polishing it up, rather than huge on. Know if anodising be stripped in the idea really effect on the fork blades looked leave plus. 70S dirt bikes safety specs/gloves and a damp cloth, my face would melt the ally… the time Ofmega. But the undercoat is a lot of effort and time on your end was... Get a can of self etching primer, tape off the big chunks Helmet – the King of?... Vertex that keeps changing it ’ s some serious hard work I could listened... By email associated with my Yamaha Banshee 472 Supercub build thus far refinisher may be able to as! Morning posted it pikey second class and it still cost me the same cost removing paint from dirt frame! Aluminum frame as well get it resprayed for virtually the same cost pick it up rather. Able to help as they use clear lacquer coat painted steel fork being one of them bike “! 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