paint stripping on a aluminuim frame

Well, if you look down the last month, I just went through the same thing
(c:

For me, "Aircraft Remover" by Klean Strip worked just super. Yes, that's what it's called. Toxic
stuff though, don't get ANY on your skin. When you first apply it, you'll actually hear it curdling
the paint. It might take a couple of applications to get it all. Most of it will just wipe off. The
can says to use steel wool to remove the remainder, but someone here suggested that might not be a
good idea: "Using steel wool on aluminum can leave steel on the surface of the aluminum setting up a
possible galvanic corrosion cell due to dissimilar metals." Makes sense ... I should have known that
too (c: Use something else, like Scotch Brite.

As an update, my frame still looks killer. I left it raw and polished it. Now the whole bike is
black and polished aluminum.

Go for it,
c.A.A.

"sam bixby" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

i have an aluminuim frame and was thinking about taking the paint off. how can i go about this?
(if it makes any difference it is a CAAD1)

thanks

panda

Q. said:

Well, if you look down the last month, I just went through the same thing (c:

For me, "Aircraft Remover" by Klean Strip worked just super. Yes, that's what it's called. Toxic
stuff though, don't get ANY on your skin. When you first apply it, you'll actually hear it
curdling the paint. It might take a couple of applications to get it all. Most of it will just
wipe off. The can says to use steel wool to remove the remainder, but someone here suggested that
might not be a good idea: "Using steel wool on aluminum can leave steel on the surface of the
aluminum setting up a possible galvanic corrosion cell due to dissimilar metals." Makes sense ...
I should have known that too (c: Use something else, like Scotch Brite.

As an update, my frame still looks killer. I left it raw and polished it. Now the whole bike is
black and polished aluminum.

Go for it,
C.Q.C.

"sam bixby" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

i have an aluminuim frame and was thinking about taking the paint off. how can i go about this?
(if it makes any difference it is a CAAD1)

thanks

panda

cheers dude,

i did do a google newsgroup search but it didnt turn up ur thread.......

i know this is gonna sound dense, but when u say u polished it, did u put some laquer on?

thanks again

panda

<snip>

Quoted message said:

i know this is gonna sound dense, but when u say u polished it, did u put some laquer on?

thanks again

panda

No, just finished it with Aluminum polish and gave it a layer of wax, but nothing special. Some
people clear coat aluminum, like they do with car wheels, but I didn't try it.

C.Q.C.

On Fri, 17 Oct 2003 06:52:31 +0100, "sam bixby" <[email hidden]> may

have said:

i have an aluminuim frame and was thinking about taking the paint off. how can i go about this? (if
it makes any difference it is a CAAD1)

Before you remove the old paint, be advised that getting paint to stick to aluminum is a stone [censored]
if you don't have the right equipment, the right technique, and exactly the right paint. Unless the
existing paint is badly damaged and really ugly, just paint over it or leave it alone unless you
plan on repainting often...because that's what you'll probably end up doing if you take the old
paint off.

Chemical paint removers exist which will soften the old paint and make it possible to wash or scrape
off. Check with your local paint stores to see what they have in that line. Since you're apparently
in the UK, I can't get much more specific since that's an ocean away.

--
My email address is antispammed; pull WEEDS if replying via e-mail. Yes, I have a killfile. If I
don't respond to something, it's also possible that I'm busy.

"Werehatrack" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Fri, 17 Oct 2003 06:52:31 +0100, "sam bixby" <[email hidden]> may

have said:

i have an aluminuim frame and was thinking about taking the paint off.

how

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

can i go about this? (if it makes any difference it is a CAAD1)

Before you remove the old paint, be advised that getting paint to stick to aluminum is a stone
[censored] if you don't have the right equipment, the right technique, and exactly the right paint.
Unless the existing paint is badly damaged and really ugly, just paint over it or leave it alone
unless you plan on repainting often...because that's what you'll probably end up doing if you take
the old paint off.

Chemical paint removers exist which will soften the old paint and make it possible to wash or
scrape off. Check with your local paint stores to see what they have in that line. Since you're
apparently in the UK, I can't get much more specific since that's an ocean away.

--
My email address is antispammed; pull WEEDS if replying via e-mail. Yes, I have a killfile. If I
don't respond to something, it's also possible that I'm busy.

cheers for that

panda

net to uk for response

sam bixby said:

i have an aluminuim frame and was thinking about taking the paint off. how can i go about this?
(if it makes any difference it is a CAAD1)

Bob Jackson Cycles will polish it professionally for 60UKP. I've done the job myself on a Cannondale
and it doesn't look all that good. The result is more like the inside of a saucepan because of the
extrusion marks - you'lld have to pull out the wet-and-dry paper and remove some material if you
want a mirror finish.