Removing powder coat from cranks

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  • Has anyone got any ideas on removing powder coat from a set of aluminium cranks? Have recently got a pair of black coated 75s and want to take them back to the alu.

  • Nitromors removes powder coat but wear rubber gloves when applying. Good Luck

  • Powder coat was horrible to remove last time I did it, although I did tackle a whole frame.
    It is pretty thick and goes soft and almost sticky with nitromoors so didn't come off cleanly.
    One of those jobs I regretted ever starting!
    Different story with just a small item like cranks though I hope.

  • The important thing with nitromors is to not let it dry out. This should be easy to do on something small like cranks. Afterwards, you may find that the finish underneath is rough from shot blasting, so you may have to polish them up too.

  • also- if they're black, and not done post purchase- ie came from sug like that- then its an anodized finish and nitromors will do fuck all, and there is no point in trying to remove the anodize

  • Thanks for the advice :D They were coated after purchase. I'm thinking nitromors will be my best option. Maybe a couple of reapplications of the nitro. Once the nitromors has done it's work is it just a case of wiping/scraping off the sticky paint?
    I figure the anodising underneath is not gonna be in good nick so i was planning on taking that off and polishing it up nice and shiny a la the tutorial with the cinelli 1a that's knocking about.

  • haha, just googled "nitromors cranks" 10 or 20 seconds after i posted that. The second result is my post above. Impressive work google!

  • Nitro'd the cranks today. Worked a charm, paint pretty much fell off after a few minutes, and the nitromors left the alu underneath untouched. Will be buffing them up to mirror shine tomorrow :)

  • I was gonna say, a good tip with Nitromors is to slap it on really thick and wrap it up in clingfilm so that it doesn't dry out. That way you can leave it for a couple of hours to work through the paint. Then you can scrape the majority off with a plastic spoon before wiping/sanding the rest off.

  • Yeah, if you've got a tough finish it would probably be good to find a way to let it really soak like that, although it seems aftermarket powder coats come off much easier, as mine came off very cleanly in about a minute. Apparently nitromors is reusable too, but i didn't fancy my chances of getting it back in the tin.

  • Thread dredge!

    Just wondering how much Nitromors would be required for a frame? I doubt 500ml would be enough so I'm thinking 1ltr, but can anyone advise?

  • I used 1ltr on the last frame I stripped, but it took several applications to get it back to steel. Better to have too much than to have to pop back to the shop halfway through the process.

    make sure to wear gloves/goggles, well ventilated area, no exposed skin bla bla bla

  • Price it up though, you might be able to get a frame shot blasted for 20 quid.

  • That's a thought. I'll look around I guess. Still haven't decided if I want to strip it or sell it :)

  • I'm looking to strip a frame and forks in the next few weeks, I was going to nitromors it too but if it saves time/money/hassle for both of us, we could perhaps get a discount on getting two frames blasted at the same time?

  • Thread dredge!

    Just wondering how much Nitromors would be required for a frame? I doubt 500ml would be enough so I'm thinking 1ltr, but can anyone advise?

    I did a frame with less than 500ml - powder coating comes off particularly easily with Nitromors - it bubbles up and then you can peel it like a satsuma, very satisfying.

    I know everyone says it and it has already been said, but beware of Nitromors' peppery goodness, wear googles, it's a paste, you can easily get a little flick into your lovely Irish/Scottish/French eyes.

    Watch the powdercoat give in to the power of Nitromors:

    http://img384.imageshack.us/img384/9655/nitromorsll4.jpg

  • I did a frame with less than 500ml - powder coating comes off particularly easily with Nitromors - it bubbles up and then you can peel it like a satsuma, very satisfying.

    I know everyone says it and it has already been said, but beware of Nitromors' peppery goodness, wear googles, it's a paste, you can easily get a little flick into your lovely Irish/Scottish/French eyes.

    Watch the powdercoat give in to the power of Nitromors:

    http://img384.imageshack.us/img384/9655/nitromorsll4.jpg

    me too, just brushed it on really lightly and it worked a treat. Perhaps 1/2 a small bottle.

  • That's reassuring to know.

    kid_scruff, would be nice too, but as I say I haven't made my mind up yet. I might be selling the frame/forks to my flat mate to make way for a new frame. Haven't found the new frame yet ;) Also, I'm not London based (not sure where you are).

  • Just take it to Armortex, i can believe they will charge more than 20 quid to strip a frame

  • For £20 I would get it blasted. Sounds like some have had a good experience with Nitromors but the last frame I did was a right bastard (especially in all the welds) and must have take me about 5 hours in total. As that 5 hours is not exactly fun I equate it to 5 hours at my working rate which is a bit more than £20 :-)

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Removing powder coat from cranks

Posted by Avatar for tobysowen @tobysowen

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