Removing paint

[Guest]

Hello, What's the best way to remove paint from a motorcycle frame?

Thanks,
Supavert

[rustybronco]

Probably by having it media blasted. every method of paint removal has it's down fall. wire brushing it away will take time, chemically stripping can be messy ect.

[ddaniels]

Media blasting. But if you don't have that available, use aircraft paint stripper. Be aware that it's very messy, though, and will burn your skin.

[GateKeeper]

I didn't remove all of the old paint, I figure if it's been on there for 25 plus years why remove it completely, sand down and rough spots, blend in all rough edges, primer and paint once again.

now if your going to have it powder coated, then it has to be bare metal, and to get that, rustybronco is correct get it media blasted, make sure all bearing and such are removed and all threaded holes are covered, best is to put in a nut you don't need to fill in the hole

[nvr2old]

I used to spend hours and hours sanding frames. Never again (unless I'm molding the welds). Sand blasting, then powder coating is the only way to go. For what it costs, for how it looks, and for durability..you can't beat it.

[1_v8_merc]

Aircraft remover is neat stuff.
It usually sprays out like a foam or gasket remover.
Just let it sit for a short period, and scrape it off like clay.

But why not just sand it a little and paint over?
Soooo much easier, plus you have an extra coat underneath to further protect against rust.

[Supavert]

So I should put all of the screws back on the frame before it gets powder coated?

[GateKeeper]

either cover them up, fill them up, or you will have to chase the threads before the screws will go back in....

powder coat is thick, it will settle into the threads and not allow the screw to thread back in....

leave the bearing reese (sp) in the steering stem, after powder coating remove and replace, if the bearing are good remove the bearing and tape off that area otherwise you bearings will not go in properly

anywhere there is a thread or tight fit, plug it some how or another

even with me just using primer and paint, I had to clean up some of the theads

[Supavert]

Gatekeeper,

What kind of primer and paint did you use? The frame looks great.

Supavert,

[Rover]

A great job can be had with most any quality spray can black gloss paint.
Prep is key as in all paint jobs.
Consider that when all the parts are back on the bike maybe 10 or 20% of the frame is all that's visible.
Save the cost of powder coating and use it for other parts.

[nvr2old]

Spray canning it is cheap, no doubt. But, it only lasts as long as the first time you slip with a wrench or if any rock hits it while riding. It runs off in rivers if you spill gas on it. No matter how well it's prepped, spray can paint just can't compare. If you were to use a catalysed urethane, that would be a good alternative to a spray can. Powder coating everything including the battery box, all the mounting brackets, and swing arm should only run around $200. It gets into every nook and cranny and is incredibly durable. Any powder coater worth their salt should have a selection of tapered rubber plugs to fill bolt holes with. The best part..all you do is drop it off, then pick it up all done.

[themess]

One possible source of chemical paint stripper: Consumer hazardous chemical disposal sites. The local one here receives lots of half-used cans. They give them away. Less waste than another person buying a can and using half of it.

[850 Combat]

One possible source of chemical paint stripper: Consumer hazardous chemical disposal sites. The local one here receives lots of half-used cans. They give them away. Less waste than another person buying a can and using half of it.

Thanks for bringing that up. I saw that when I was disposing of some old computers and TV's for my mom.

[GateKeeper]

Gatekeeper,

What kind of primer and paint did you use? The frame looks great.

Supavert,

Duplicolor filler primer red oxide

Krylon Appliance Paint

I know it won't last, and it won't stand up, but powder coating was expensive, one place quoted me 500 bucks just for the frame, and they did it all, I just drop off and pickup, another place wanted 200 bucks and I had to strip it down to bare metal myself, powder coating was not in the budget.


.

[Supavert]

I feel you when it comes to that budget thing. But it looks great.

Peace!
Supavert