Topic: removing finish off aluminum forks

[tygrant]

title basiacly says it. i bought some aluminum cleaner and when i scrub them with steel wool it worked well but its clear as day where the clearcoat is thats still on the aluminum but i cant seem to find anything that will take it off, i tried HC acid and aircraft stripper

[seaweb11]

wet sand

[tygrant]

what grit would you say is the ebst that will leave minimal scartch marks visible when done, im not plishing these o a buffing wheel so i dont want the brush one here and another way here look if you know what i mean

[seaweb11]

800 should work.  If not go one way or the other.

[Really?]

Do not go as low as 220 grit.  Those scratches take a lot of time to get out.  To me 320 grit would be the lowest but if you do, you will want to go up to 600 and maybe 800 after that, as seaweb suggested.  The bigger then umber, the smoother/cleaner it will get.

[cbr-eric]

you can also use paint stripper, pulled the clear of my motor covers for me and left them shiny

[okie]

I know I'm gonna' get a lot of flack for this, but the best solution I have found is media blasting.  I use walnut hulls and it cleans up the forks quickly and requires very little prep to polish.  I have used aircraft stripper, sandpaper, cussing and anything else that I thought might work.  Walnut hulls work for me every time. 

[KingCustomCycles.com]

I know I'm gonna' get a lot of flack for this, but the best solution I have found is media blasting.  I use walnut hulls and it cleans up the forks quickly and requires very little prep to polish.  I have used aircraft stripper, sandpaper, cussing and anything else that I thought might work.  Walnut hulls work for me every time. 

+1 but i use glass beads and then paint or just clear coat the bare metal. 

[seaweb11]

Most people don't have blaster in their arsenal of tools.

[BobbyR]

I agree with seaweb, you have to physically remove some of these coatings. Then you need to figure out what they used, it must be tough stuff.

[tygrant]

i have a little sand blaster but its filled with black beauty. i think il try starting with some realy light sand paper and wet sand them then go back to steel wool and some hand polish. i dont want to remove them either. im lazy

[BobbyR]

i have a little sand blaster but its filled with black beauty. i think il try starting with some realy light sand paper and wet sand them then go back to steel wool and some hand polish. i dont want to remove them either. im lazy

Get a buffing wheel from Sear or wherever and some poslihing compounds for that final finish. The harsh stuff will remove the swirls from the steel wool. Then you go finer to bring out the shine. That is what I have done and I promise you I am lazier than you are. No need to pull the fork legs. Drop the wheel and spin them around.

[pablo78cb550]

go to your local pep boy auto zone. and pick up a red scotch brite wheel. it in the body shop aisle. break out your drill and go to town.

[LoopsAndLogic]

Use aircraft paint stripper!!!

Its the best but also the Most DANGEROUS!!!!

Read the back of the can

Leaves your parts nice and clean right down to the metal.

Cheers

LL

[KingCustomCycles.com]

i have a little sand blaster but its filled with black beauty. i think il try starting with some realy light sand paper and wet sand them then go back to steel wool and some hand polish. i dont want to remove them either. im lazy

If you were really lazy you would park it outside for a few years and it would strip and peel off naturally.  Many before you have done it just like that. 

[super pasty white guy]

I use a small orbital sander with a sheet of old 220, followed by a quick wetsand, then black compound on the wheel.

But then I probably don't do it to the same high level as the others here.  A few scratches here and there gives the clear powder coat some tooth.

spwg

[pddpimp]

You can find a trick under your sink.
I often use Easy Off oven cleaner. It works great.

Also works great for taking the anodizing off of the controls.

[tygrant]

i tried aircraft stripper... the brown stuff in the blue can. it doesnt work on the clear coat on my forks. im guna try sanding once it warms up out in the garage. even with the heat on its guna be too cold this weekend out there.

[LoopsAndLogic]

Really??

You have to make sure your forks are clean as a whistle!!! No road grime or Oil, or it won't cut through.

 If this still doesn't work, I'd suggest working with a 320grit and wet sand it all the way to a 3000 grit.

YOU WILL GET PROFESSIONAL RESULTS!

But the key to the final buff, is using a real light touch...and I do mean "light'.

Post your results when your done.

Cheers

LL

[tygrant]

yes i was supprised it wasnt dissolving the clear coat... it eats everything else!. the can  have is a few years old now and i think it may have lost som of its bite. I may buy another can

[goon 1492]

yes i was supprised it wasnt dissolving the clear coat... it eats everything else!. the can  have is a few years old now and i think it may have lost som of its bite. I may buy another can

I got one up on the media blast, instead of using walnut shells(which is a excellent fine grit to use by the way) use baking soda, it will take all the paint off and not even scratch the metal  .
When I sand my parts some I have to go as low as 220(which like giga said sucks); that's for pits and bad stains/oxidation thats in the aluminum, then I go to 320 wet, 400 wet, then 0000fine steel wool wet, then 0000 steel wool with chrome polish for a buffing agent. The chrome polish will darken the metal alittle with the oils that are in it but you can wash it off after that step and hit it gently with the 0000 steel wool after washing the polish off and it will give it more of a chrome shine  .

All the aluminum parts I have taken off my bike so far I have done this way and they have a mild polish with an almost satin sheen to it, and a buffing wheel would top it off after that.

[Joksa]

http://www.pbnation.com/showthread.php?t=51828
http://www.cyclingforums.com/t5895.html
http://www.finishing.com/2000-2199/2076.shtml
http://www.finishing.com/3600-3799/3674.shtml

Alkaline like drain opener AFAIK works also well removing the anodizing.

[Big Port Jimmy 6]

1+ on the EZ off

This stuff also works well

http://www.buschshineproducts.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=37

[mrbreeze]

I've used the EZ off on stock controls and my upper triple clamp.Worked good but I heard it shouldn't be left on the aluminum too long (TwoTired said it).For removing clear coat on the engine covers and forks....I used this citrus paint remover that comes in a aerosol can.I spray it on the part and it foams up.I usually just set it on some old newspaper and come back to it a day later.The clear coat just wipes right off.