How can I strip an aluminum frame to bare metal (for polishing)?

I've been looking into getting my frame redone, but I think its powdercoated already. how am I gonna get that off?? or do I even need to if I'm gonna be powdercoating over the top?

 

You cant powder coat on top of anything it need bare metal. What they do is charge the dry paint then spray it to the metal so it stick then bake it in an oven.

 

Carb cleaner. Eats anything.

 

i have done this before... GLASS BEAD or WALNUT SHELL media blast it. Paint stripper will not get it all, and it takes way too much work.

 

Use the stripper(W/ GOGGLES AND GLOVES) to get the majority off...then media blast the tight spots....

 

do not sandblast your frame it leaves microscopic abrastions all over the metal potentially weakining your frame especially if its aluminum, if your going to get your frame powder coated for sure take it to olympic they deal in alot of high end powder coatings for various manufacturers, happy trails

 

good old easy off oven cleaner will strip away anodized material

 

2nd walnut shells, It dosent overheat and warp like some media blasting. Let me make some inquiry's tomorrow, I might be able to find a way to do it free.I have some connections, but its not a for sure thing, depends on how busy people are!

 

sand is waaaay too abrasive.
walnut shells or some plastic/glass beads will be fine.

 

I just happened to open up an Old Cars Weekly from back in February, and there was an article on polishing aluminum. It was written by a bloke who was inspired after seeing a 1938 Lagonda with aluminum carburetors that were polished so they look like chrome.

No need to send me your snail mail address for the article--it's now online. http://www.oldcarsweekly.com/article/Buffing_Carburetor_Parts/

The author mentions Eastwood, a company which I can heartily recommend. They have some good stuff. Make sure that you get the exact polishing tools for the job. It will save you time, labor, and the finished product will look better.

 

I worked in the Shipping and Receiving department for all outside processing at the GT Bicycles factory in Santa Ana in the mid to late 90's.
GT, Powerlite, and many other brands sent all of their American made BMX, Road and MTN frames to Olympic Powdercoating to be coated. Olympic can strip or media blast the frame and they know what parts of the frame to coat and which ones not to coat.

Bush Polishing and Chrome in Garden Grove did most of the aluminum polishing and chroming for frames and handlebars. You might want to check with them and see what they might charge to strip and polish the bike. http://www.bushpolishingandchrome.com/

If you're going to hand polish it after it's stripped, you'll need to sand, wire wheel, and scrub with synthetic steel wool. The spots around welds and tubing joints will be very difficult to polish. You could rough polish with synthetic steel wool or brillo pads and something like Mothers Polish and finish with Mothers and terry cloths.

Polishing can be a big project and maintaining a polished frame is a total pain in the arse.

 

http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=286711&highlight=stripper

 

Acid dip then clear coat lacquer.

 

this one turned out nice

 

Yeah it looks like it was actually sold that way. Nice touch with the red anodized also.