Paint Stripping

[Dennis]

I'd like to strip the black paint off my front brake calipers on the Smithers XS650 Bobber project.  Regular paint stripper doesn't seem to even dull the shine.  I have used nylon wire wheels on my drill which will take the paint off, but also leaves the tell tale scratches.

I googled up this discussion at Avid Rider:  http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=575025

Query: what is the strongest paint stripper known to mankind that I could possible source in Prince George?

Peace & Paint removal, Dennis

[Qball]

try gasket remover in the spray can from canadian tire.  Ive used it on all my tough projects.  but havent tried calipers yet.

[Rusty Bucket]

You might ask SuperDave - or ask at White and Peters.  What you are looking for used to be known as Aircraft Stripper - planes and helicopters get painted with tough paint, and get refinished pretty often, so they used to represent the cutting edge on both fronts - not sure if this is still true, but White and Peters would know.  You're right, caliper paint is tough.

[Dennis]

Curiously, both of your suggestions are discussed in the thread I linked to.   Thanks for chiming in.  I have been to White & Peters so I may try them again. 

I am hoping Dave (a.k.a. SuperDave, a.k.a. StuntmanFubar) will chime in on this as well.

Peace & Paint removal, Dennis

[Qball]

I bought aircraft paint stripper last night for a diferent project.  I have spare calipers in the garage.  I will try it out tomorrow and let you know.
I will try and pick up some more gasket remover as well. It will be a fun experiment....
Well fun for me as an old geek that loves reasons to play in the shop.

[Dennis]

I bought aircraft paint stripper last night for a diferent project.  I have spare calipers in the garage.  I will try it out tomorrow and let you know.
I will try and pick up some more gasket remover as well. It will be a fun experiment....
Well fun for me as an old geek that loves reasons to play in the shop.

Where did you buy aircraft stripper? 

[Qball]

NAPA for about 40$.  they had it in stock here in terrace. 

[stevecrout]

When you're using methylene chloride or phenolic strippers you might want to run your parts through a 30 minute parts wash afterwards to ensure there isn't anything left in the passageways that can find it's way onto rubber seals. This stuff is nasty enough to eat the warts off my third grade teacher's nose.

[bofud]

I used the aircraft stripper on my z1 project---- engine parts and cases ---- only stuff that worked, and i tried everything. Got it at napa but don't think i paid 40 maybe 18or 20 bucks. It comes in a spray can.
 Bofud

[MaximX]

I once used bumper stripper that auto body shops have to get clear coat off alum. parts, worked well.  How about finding someone with a sand blaster, perhaps using another media besides sand?

[Qball]

So I did some experimenting on the weekend, didnt try on a caliper but stripping clear gloss off aluminum.  The aircraft paint stripper from a one gallon can from NAPA worked well but required a bit more time and the part had to be half assed warm it seemed.  (above freezing of my shop)  the stripper was eating through my nitrile gloves so I would reccomend buying some heavy chemical gloves prior to undertaking this endevor.  It pulled the clear coat off but it was a but messy and I needed nylon brushes and now heres the kicker....i had to follow the instructions.  Improvising did not work!

The gasket remover from C-tire is about 8 bucks for a spray can and seems to bubbly and peel every thing away in a matter of minutes (unlike the 20min for the aircraft stuff).  Once again it is more effective at warmer temp.  But clean up seemed a bit easier, maybe due to the fact it was a spray can?  I like the Aircraft stuff because if I had to goop on some more I was not concerned about running out, and it truely seemed to melt away the clear coat where the gasket remover seemet to peel and bubble the stuff off.  Both were effective, but bang for buck I would go for the big tin of aircraft stuff.  Especially if you have lots to do.  If you are only doing the caliper, I would grab a can of gasket remover (gasket isle not on the cleaner isle in canadian tire). 

Neither substances seemed to pit or ear the metal, but I would not volunteer to leave my casings in this stuff for a long period.  I cleaned everything thouroghly when I was done and made sure I had good ventilation during the whole process.

Hope my experience helps.

[Dennis]

I did a similar experiment this weekend.  Even took some photos.

I bought the gallon of Aircraft Paint Stripper from Chieftain.  Smells and gels like standard paint stripper, but stronger smelling and thicker, almost like jam.

I smeared it all over my brake caliper that I am testing with (a spare).   Left it overnight in my well heated garage.  It did not do a damn thing.   Here's what I started with.  The shiny bit is where I started with the nylon wire wheel.



I gooped it all up with this stuff.



Nada. Diddly.  Peckin' on the surface.  After a bit of scraping with a knife blade, I rinsed it in hot water. 



Whatever the finish is on brake calipers, its tough.  I was able to strip it the old fashioned way: blood,  sweat and tears.



Peace & Grease, Dennis