Stripping paint and refinishing/repainting/powdercoating a bike

Just out of interest, has anyone stripped an Aluminium frame and just left it as metal?
How does it look etc?

stripped alu looks wicked, but you will need to repolish every couple of months to keep it chrome looking.

Wow! is that a bare alu frame?

Did you apply laquer or is it just bare?

ah the can'o'ale...

it's bare, but, it's always been bare, since 1994, when i got it it was all cloudy, one quick polish with autosol, and it came up like phil hub's finish!

and how did you strip the paint off?

when i get back to base station i will check

Just put a little bit on my lunch, mmm spicy.

I do love that CanOALe Gabes. looks great in the flesh

+1 for nitromors.

i stripped my Giant Aluminium frame last weekend, took about two hours total to get it back to the metal. amazing stuff, just wear gloves and do in a big well venitilated room, or outdoors. i ran the frame under the shower to get the nitromors off in-between coats. it comes in a non-drip gel solution, and the more you slap on, the easier it comes off.

+1 for nitromors.

i stripped my Giant Aluminium frame last weekend, took about two hours total to get it back to the metal. amazing stuff, just wear gloves and do in a big well venitilated room, or outdoors. i ran the frame under the shower to get the nitromors off in-between coats. it comes in a non-drip gel solution, and the more you slap on, the easier it comes off.

I'm gonna do my Giant too.
Do you have any pics?

How many coats of Nitromrs did you use?

As many as it takes. Use an old tooth brush to get in to the heard to reach places.

would anyone on the forum recommend painting an aluminium frame with rattle cans from halfords once it has been stripped. As i'm looking to go singlespeed on a budget will sell all the geared items off my bike but don't really want to pay out for a paintjob
cheers,
Nigel.

As long as you use a proper primer first that shouldn't be a problem. Wouldn't use Halfords-paint though. Rust-o-Leum CombiColor is the thing!

Very bad time of year to think about spraying your frame, Unless you have a heated garage.

was thinking of using my dad's garage as it's quite warm but will be after xmas when hopefully the xmas cash comes rolling in.

I originally rattle caned my frame... then i took it to the powder coaters. FTW. IMO... because first time spraying i had to buy/borrow from work:

wire wool,
paint stripper,
brush,
rubber gloves,
white spirit,
1.5 cans of primer,
3 cans of paint,
1.5 cans of clear coat...

and man hours.

obviously this method has its advantages like... being in control of the job, choosing the exact colour, the satisfaction.... obviously you also have the opportunity to completely cock it up!

I'm gonna do my Giant too.
Do you have any pics?

How many coats of Nitromrs did you use?

i did about two thick coats. the first got most of it off, then the second got into the welds etc. then i had to touch it up a bit. the more the merrier with that stuff!

i took some photos, i'll upload when i get home. i took the frame to a powder-coaters to have it sprayed - i've rattle-canned frames before, and unless you have a spray booth and a week to let it cure properly then just pay someone to spray it for you, the finish will almost certainly be a lot better. that's in my experience though, i may have not used the best paint etc, and i'm quite impatient.

i've got one cooking in the shed - first attempt so lets see how things go... weird tho, i love the smell

anyone know what nitromors does to rust? i mite strip a steal frame if it would take the rust off too.

i mite strip a steal frame.

To be frank, Irish Mick, you're not exactly breaking down stereotypes here...

oh god, sorry. i really need to preview my posts. steel frame

nitro moors is only a paint stripper not a rust killer as far as i'm aware.

You could use other stuff called Jenolite which is available from halfords or ca spare restoration places. Coat your frame in it (brush on) and it will kill the rust and turn it into a white powder which can be sanded down.

Be careful not to leave it too long as this stuff will react to the paint if its not washed properly so when you do use plenty of fairy liquid other wise when it comes to spraying the paint will set and probably crack or peel. So be thorough with it and take your time. I used this stuff when i was working on old v-dubs and it works a treat but use gloves safety equipment etc. I cant believe how flippant people have been about these chemicals they can cause you serious problems for the sake of taking a bit of time and patience to do the job properly.

In terms of paint stripper the reason why Nitro Moors is tedious is because its for domestic purposes. If you want something more industrial you can try tetrosyl which car restoration people use and its like acid but again same applies to both Jenolite and Nitro make sure you wash it down with fairy liquid.

hope this helps.

Has anyone used Nitromors on anodised aluminium? I've some old glue to remove from a pair of tubular rims and it would take aeons with acetone. I was thinking of using nitromors but don't know what effect it'll have on the anodised rims.

shouldn't think it would effect annodising.

Thanks Murtle. I'll blame you if it goes horribly wrong. ;p