Let's see your raw aluminium!

[sasquatch rides a SS]

I'm not worried about that. From riding pantsless for as long as I have, any skin down there is basically layers upon layers of dead skin/calluses (hench why I'm not too fond of seeing the underside reflected) and I don't believe the sun's weaksauce rays can hurt it

[Mountain Cycle Shawn]

Dude, you must have balls of steel!

[sasquatch rides a SS]

polished aluminum (gotta get this thread back on topic...but no pictures)

[Mountain Cycle Shawn]

Originally Posted by sasquatch rides a SS

polished aluminum (gotta get this thread back on topic...but no pictures)

lol! here's a pic! It needs to be touched up with Mothers.

[sasquatch rides a SS]

That bike is now mine, send it to me. Along with that bag of beef jerky! bahaha

[Mountain Cycle Shawn]

Originally Posted by sasquatch rides a SS

That bike is now mine, send it to me. Along with that bag of beef jerky! bahaha

Yeeeessss maaassssttttter.

[njdj]

Okay. I started things and...you guys didn't tell me this was going to be this much work! I got everything off the bike, stripped it with chemical stripper, and power washed it. All the paint is gone but it looks to me like the chemical stripper left behind the primer coat. Could that be or is this normal? It definitely took all of the paint. I hit it with a Scotch Bright pad but that wasn't enough to go through the gray stuff. Then I used a little 220 grit sand paper and that did the job just fine in my test spot. Beautiful metal! So, is what I'm experiencing normal or was the chemical stripper supposed to pretty much do the whole job? If I need to sand the whole thing, this will be pretty labor intensive. I'm going to have to really love this bike now.

[Mountain Cycle Shawn]

Originally Posted by njdj

Okay. I started things and...you guys didn't tell me this was going to be this much work! I got everything off the bike, stripped it with chemical stripper, and power washed it. All the paint is gone but it looks to me like the chemical stripper left behind the primer coat. Could that be or is this normal? It definitely took all of the paint. I hit it with a Scotch Bright pad but that wasn't enough to go through the gray stuff. Then I used a little 220 grit sand paper and that did the job just fine in my test spot. Beautiful metal! So, is what I'm experiencing normal or was the chemical stripper supposed to pretty much do the whole job? If I need to sand the whole thing, this will be pretty labor intensive. I'm going to have to really love this bike now.

I think what you are seeing is like a bead blasted finish. It's a matte finish that paint or powder will stick to. It's kinda hard to describe, but the finish is like fine sand paper. And it should be a little darker then the spot that you sanded. It's darker because the light doesn't reflect off of it. The stripper should have taken any primer off along with the paint. 0000 steel wool should smooth that finish over pretty easy. and it will be easier to use then paper. Always wet sand when using paper or steel wool, and don't get the Al on you skin.

[njdj]

Originally Posted by Mountain Cycle Shawn

I think what you are seeing is like a bead blasted finish. It's a matte finish that paint or powder will stick to. It's kinda hard to describe, but the finish is like fine sand paper. And it should be a little darker then the spot that you sanded. It's darker because the light doesn't reflect off of it. The stripper should have taken any primer off along with the paint. 0000 steel wool should smooth that finish over pretty easy. and it will be easier to use then paper. Always wet sand when using paper or steel wool, and don't get the Al on you skin.

Wet sand. Okay. Also, why not get the Al on skin? Is it a health hazard?

[njdj]

Any suggestions for a drill attachment that would speed the sanding process? How about a wire brush attachment?

[marpilli]

Originally Posted by njdj

Any suggestions for a drill attachment that would speed the sanding process? How about a wire brush attachment?

I did it by hand with steel wool. For the nooks and crannies I used two very small wire brushes. One steel and one brass. The small steel wire brush will take off the aluminum if you're not gentle with it.

[Mountain Cycle Shawn]

Originally Posted by njdj

Wet sand. Okay. Also, why not get the Al on skin? Is it a health hazard?

Wet sanding with water is safer, no dust, and it will give you a more consistant finish. And yes, to much Al is not good for you. There is some speculation that it may have something to do with Alzheimers disease.

[njdj]

Originally Posted by njdj

Any suggestions for a drill attachment that would speed the sanding process? How about a wire brush attachment?

For those who do this in the future, I used a dremel with a brass brush for the brazons and small parts. Worked well, just be careful.

[marpilli]

Originally Posted by njdj

For those who do this in the future, I used a dremel with a brass brush for the brazons and small parts. Worked well, just be careful.

Where are the pictures? We like bike porn...

[mtbnozpikr]

Originally Posted by marpilli

Where are the pictures? We like bike porn...

Lots of it!!!

[mountainpics]

Originally Posted by yakuzafreerider

Very nice...thats what I'm hoping to do...dig the orange spokes!

Orange spokes look great!!!

[njdj]

Originally Posted by marpilli

Where are the pictures? We like bike porn...

i

I will once it is back together.

[RaindogT]

Here is my trail bike-- 05 Transition Preston. Just rawed it out on New Years. This frame was an absolute nightmare to strip. I had a FR bike that I recently got rid of that I rawed 5 or 6 years ago that was a breeze to strip. Wish I had a pic of the other bike as well.....


Preston in it's native habitat

Chainstay Koi

Butta'

[Eville140]

Some shiny, along with a ride ending broken pedal.

[Marshall Willanholly]

My old Intense M6. Started life with a raw finish and I polished it prior to building it up.






My Uzzi VP I never got around to polishing.


And my current ride. 2011 Turner 5 Spot. Also not polished. Love the raw finish. Easy to maintain and I like the industrial look.

[mtbnozpikr]

Originally Posted by Marshall Willanholly

My old Intense M6. Started life with a raw finish and I polished it prior to building it up.

When it comes to polished frames, your M6 has got to be my absolute favorite of them all.

[John Kuhl]

Deleted

[RaindogT]

'Twasn't me, John---- Although, I am considering adding to it since you apparently felt compelled to cry about it in a public setting.... To me and my group of friends, Airing something that nobody knows/knew about is just asking for it to perpetuate-- but we are jolly pranksters like that.

[craigstr]

Rep thing is stupid anyway, dont worry about it.

[client_9]