Jitters Posted February 6, 2009 Report Share Posted February 6, 2009 Hi all,I am going to do the reverse from usual and remove powder coating from a stem so's I can clean it up and repaint it to match some other stuff.Looking for ideas, tips and tricks on how to do this. I tried a DIY method a motorcycle shop recommended with some aerosol gasket remover. Didn't work at all. I'd rather not remove it with a wire wheel, as I don't want to sacrifice any structural integrity.I have access to a curing oven (426C limit) if there is a chemical that can work in conjunction with heat, and can use a mediablasting cabinet if there is a particular media that will remove it without hurting the aluminum. Maybe a copper wire wheel? air chisel? dynamite? Any thoughts?Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrAsHeR Posted February 6, 2009 Report Share Posted February 6, 2009 Surely Nitromorse will do the job? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Rainbird Posted February 6, 2009 Report Share Posted February 6, 2009 If you have access toit, get it sandblasted off. It'll take a couple of minutes and give the best finish nice and easy Some fairly small/light media will be fine, provided you're not running it at a silly pressureSaying that, I did my forks with some pretty hardcore media over the summer and they turned out just fine, so just throw it in there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N Roach Posted February 6, 2009 Report Share Posted February 6, 2009 (edited) Ive heard of head gaskit cleaner does the job. Cannot remember the name of the exact product but have a search, im sure your find it. If that fails, get it shot/sand blasted at an engineers or a powder coating company. Your local technology school might have a sand blaster, all they can say is no. Edited February 6, 2009 by N Roach Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muel Posted February 6, 2009 Report Share Posted February 6, 2009 Shot Blasting doesn't work that well on powder coating from my experience.You can burn it with a blow torch I believe, or use a grinder with a sanding disc? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psycholist Posted February 7, 2009 Report Share Posted February 7, 2009 If you're using a blow torch you run the risk of changing the heat treatment on the aluminium of the stem. Try nitromors first and then sanding before going for a blow torch - keep the torch moving to avoid putting too much heat into the stem if you try that... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny Posted February 8, 2009 Report Share Posted February 8, 2009 Why do you even need to remove it. As long as you give it a light sand to give it a key paint should stick just fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muel Posted February 8, 2009 Report Share Posted February 8, 2009 If you're using a blow torch you run the risk of changing the heat treatment on the aluminium of the stem. Try nitromors first and then sanding before going for a blow torch - keep the torch moving to avoid putting too much heat into the stem if you try that...Ah good point I should have thought of that. I've only ever had to do it on steel frames in the past.I didn't notice it was a stem, I've never seen a stem with thick powder coating? Sanding or shotblasting should get it off no trouble. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jitters Posted February 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2009 Hi all,It was definitley powder coating. The gasket cleaner/remover didn't touch it. That's what I tried first. Used my friends blasting cabinet with glass beads. Did the trick in a snap and left just enough bite on the aluminum for the primer to adhere perfectly. I think sand would have messed it up.Danny, as far as sanding the coating - that could totally work but wanted a nice shiny smooth finish.Thank you all for the suggestions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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