Getting rid of powder coating

[redzee]

Hi,
Fork stanchions are off to Philpots this week so need to start re-building my front brakes.
I had calipers and carriers powder coated, and to be honest it looks s**t. Way too much powder that makes them look like half sucked boiled sweets. All the fititng tolerances have been ruined so I'm going to get it all off and spray them black.Anyone know of a reliable chemical stripping company in the West Midlands? What paint would look and perform best?
You may think this next one is a backward step, but I want to fit original rubber brake hoses. I have stainless Goodridge at the moment but always thought they looked wrong. I'm putting a post in 'wanted' for a used set.
Thanks guys
Col (redzee)

[FreddaAbborre]

You can't get rid of powder coating using chemicals. A powder is attached to the item and then baked in an owen making the powder to sinter (creating a physical bonds between the grains. The same method, sintering, is used in creating cemented metal carbide tools for machining and in sintered brake pads).
The way to get rid of powder coating is mechanical force (blasting, sand paper etc). But it is far more time consuming than removing ordinary paint so an alternative can be to buy "new" calipers/etc and paint them.

[kas750]

http://www.frost.co.uk/automotive-clean ... olver.html

[z1bman]

http://www.118.com/biz/15167983.mvc/cra ... bevlyn-ltd

[Garn 1]

Kas750 & Z1bman, have you had experience, or know anybody that has used these products to actually remove powder coating.
Many years ago I goggled "removal of powder coating" and came across a company that was removing powder coating from hospital beds with good results ... The method used was low pressure medium blasting?
I am a great fan of powder-coating, however, I have reservations about doing brake calipers, handle-bar controls and lately alloy top triple clamps.
RegardZ.

[kas750]

A friend of mine has used the liquid remover and it works well and its re-useable.The only thing is that the parts have to be submerged so its only suitable for small parts.

[z1bman]

there should be no problems with media blasting as long as the piston bore is protected. i would leave the piston seals intact + either use an old piston Or a piece of wood machined down + pushed fully into the calliper

[redzee]

Thanks for the help guys.
I'll call the chemical strippers for a quote. If they cannot strip podwer I'll try the other method suggested here. The Frost liquid is reusable so I'll probably try that because as Garn has pointed out I foolishly had the yokes done as well and now I cannot get the forks legs through the bores. So I have to clean these up as well now (we live and learn).
I won't be going near that stuff again.

Thanks again
Col (redzee)

[pertonpc]

Hi Red
exactly what model code and year is the bike you want the rubber brake hoses for - and which hose??

drop me a pm and I will keep an eye out for you.

From Mark

[zed1015]

The liquid dissolver by frosts has been tested in several bike mags with excellent reviews.
It is also enviro friendly and re-usable many times until it gets saturated.
Also remember reading that Hobbo had found a supplier in Goole that sells a similar product but maybe cheaper (trade ???).

[AL MARSHALL]

col there is a company in tamworth that will dip any item to remove powdercoat , i had a frame done a few months ago , they did it the next day absolutely brilliant service. pm me if you want the details.

[morten]

My best experience with removing the powder coat is to first warm it up with a gas lamp to aprox. 100 degree celcius and then blast it of in the usual way when warm. It will then come off like nothing!!!

[Garn 1]

RedZee, regarding powder coating the top triple clamp, I would not remove the powder-coating, if it is satisfactory. What you can do is, to use those flap emery wheels the correct size for the fork legs and go to work til the legs fit!

I just wanted to emphasise that sometimes these alloy parts do not adhere to the powder-coating (or vice-versa). I have had some triple trees that came out excellent.

I have a headlight shell that needs to have the powder-coating removed, because of a messed up job, so I will try and find the equivalent chemical (in Australia) to remove the coating and have it redone.

RegardZ.

[Ginger Bear]

It seems there are cheap powder coaters & good motorcycle powder coaters,
Some bad, that just apply loads of the stuff, & others, that take the time & effort to do it right (for motorcycles)!
Here's a pic of what can be done, leaving the frame number visible.



The bloke that did this, would also mask up your calipers/swinging arm/frame or anything else you wanted powder coated, knowing what he is powdercoating, unlike some of the cheaper alternatives, that just 'thick coat' what they are given.

Ultimately, you get what you pay for..... And if you go to a powder coater, that specialises in garden furniture, then that's what your Zed will look like.

C'mon boyz........... you know your zed is worth more!

[jimmock]

BONFIRE NIGHT.

That's the best way to remove powder coating!!


Jimmock.