Removing powder coating

[Michael S2]

Can anyone recommend a product for removing powder coating from aluminium?

I have an old bicycle frame i want to repaint. I've tried Nitromers (green gel) but after using half the container its barely doing anything.

I don't want to go down the sand blast repowdercoat route. Mainly because there are 6 sets of bearings in the frame i want to reuse and i don't really like the finish powder gives.

I've heard of aircraft stripper but i can't find it for sale anywhere.

[here2learn]

the only stuff that removes powder coat is something you do not want to handle, get it dipped professionally then blast and paint yourself thats what i did with my wheels

[martinws]

knotted wire wheel in a grinder will eat it but possibly damage the aluminium if you are not careful. Can you just press the bearings out n the cups n get it sand or shot blasted locally?

[Error404]

POR-strip does work on powdercoat, albeit slowly.

http://www.frost.co.uk/por15-por-str...t-remover.html

[Michael S2]

Thanks. I might try that por stuff, Eastwood also do some gel which claims to remove powdercoat. I'll post some photos up comparing each, might be some interest to those wanting to do wheels etc.

[here2learn]

i stand corrected, please confirm if this stuff works as have a few other bits to get done in time

[Michael S2]

This is a slow process. Got a quote for soda blasting... £100 bit expensive i thought and i'm not sure soda would even remove the powder-coat.

Tried Nitromers and Eastwood stuff but it barely made any impact on the frame. There was a change in law as to what companies are allowed to put in these products a couple of years ago and it seems to have made them less effective. I was recommended a product from Starchem and it seems to have the ingredients to remove powder-coat.

Tried it on a small section and it seems to be doing the trick. Its not falling off like i wanted, but a bit of scraping and i should get it off. Waiting on a mask to do the rest as this stuff is nasty.

Still not sure on final colour, for those interested its an Iron Horse Sunday frame no longer made. As ridden by Sam Hill a few years ago. (search Youtube if you don't know the legend)

Maybe RS2 Nogaro?

This is nice also:

[quattrostyle]

So, why not just repaint the frame?

[Michael S2]

^ The finish will be much better after removing the old coating.

[quattrostyle]

I see, but is it not possible to flatten the powdercoating by sanding?

[Michael S2]

It is quite chipped in places and because powder has a single thick layer it would be difficult to get a smooth surface. If it was just paint i would do this. Will be sure to post some photos when finished.

[jade]

Tip...

If using paint stripper wrap piece's in tin foil for improved results