Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - What's the stuff on typical black aluminum handlebars (bontrager, easton, etc)

I'm looking to strip a set of bontrager risers (crowbars, the old one with the next-to-nothing rise they stopped making), but i'm not 100% sure what the stuff is.
It could be paint, but seems too durable. I'm thinking powdercoat, but it's not quite as durable as the components i've had/seen p.coated.

Do you know what manufactuers use to get the typical black coat we see on aluminum bars?
If it's paint (or even a thin powdercoat), i can use heavy duty gasket remover; am i barking up the right tree?

http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/4861/cutdi9.jpg http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/1369/logoto6.jpg http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/5753/texturebo7.jpg

It's not smooth like a typical powdercoat but it's just as strong.

I did this once to some old risers, but I had to sand off all the black. Jasco did nothing. Didn't even take off the branding (Acetone works for that, though) Then I had to do the whole sanding/polishing process you would do with any aluminum piece. It looked good for like a day and then it started getting cloudy because of corrosion.

gasket remover is stronger than jasco; i've used it to remove powdercoat before-- works perfectly.

i'm also going to clearcoat the bare aluminum (unless someone has a better idea for a protective finish); a bunch of it will be covered with grips and the stem anyway, so i'm not overly concerned.

but you are sure it's powdercoat?

Looks like it might be hard coat anodizing

that's what i'm afraid of.
i can scratch it off with a file, but i can't tell if i'm getting to the aluminum or just taking of the coat...

does anyone know for sure?

I dont see why you cannot take off the anodizing. just use some anodize remover or this method: http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=3677840&postcount=38 or this one: http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/articles/polishing/

Might be a tougher anodize than normal, but a little elbow grease will get of that. I wouldnt bother clearcoating - just polish it periodically.

i know i can remove the anodizing-- i just don't have the stuff to do it.
i also don't have gasket remover.

i'm looking to avoid spending money on one or the other until i know what it is i'm working with.

trial and error is a pain when it costs $...


i'll consider polishing vs. clearcoat (though i actually have clearcoat, so i may just go that route)

I just stripped a set of black anodized rims with some oven cleaner.

Worked great.

i know i can remove the anodizing-- i just don't have the stuff to do it.
i also don't have gasket remover.

i'm looking to avoid spending money on one or the other until i know what it is i'm working with.

trial and error is a pain when it costs $...


i'll consider polishing vs. clearcoat (though i actually have clearcoat, so i may just go that route)

see my first link & follow the instructions.
if you have $10 bucks, you'll be set.

gel gloss will seal the metal when you're done. Its a great product.

I'm not familiar with gel gloss, is it this stuff?

http://www.idealtruevalue.com/servlet/the-49614/Detail

That's it.
It cleans and polishes, but also seals the surface with carnuba wax and silicone.
I used it on my madisons fork after I stripped it to bare chrome, and now the chrome won't even hold fingerprints.

see my first link & follow the instructions.
if you have $10 bucks, you'll be set.
i appreciate your advice, but you're missing my point.
i only want to spend 10$ and a toxic chemical filled afternoon once.
if i can figure out what the stuff is-- for sure-- i can buy the right stuff and get it done the first time.


gel gloss will seal the metal when you're done. Its a great product.
good call, going to use that instead.

im 99.9% sure it's anodize. but even if it's powercoat (which I highly doubt), the chemical found in oven cleaner will dissolve it. jasco will not. sodium hydroxide will burn the flesh off your hands if you're not careful. ever see fight club?

im 99.9% sure it's anodize. but even if it's powercoat (which I highly doubt), the chemical found in oven cleaner will dissolve it. jasco will not. sodium hydroxide will burn the flesh off your hands if you're not careful. ever see fight club?

there is no fight club.

but yeah, i'm 99.9% sure you're right about it being ano after reading more about it in threads like the one you linked.

gonna go that route and see what happens... thanks!

greased lightning will work better than easy off and will not create the nasty dull finish.

sand/media blast it.

btw, i have an easton riserbar that ive never used. 31.x stem size

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n174/jdm94delsol/003-16.jpg

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n174/jdm94delsol/002-20.jpg

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n174/jdm94delsol/004-14.jpg

Im too lazy to read these posts but if it is anodized I heard soaking whatever it is in oven cleaner will remove the anodization

here's something from a guy who did it:


The bars are Redline's that come anodized black, got them from my buddy. They've been stipped with Easy Off and then I hand polished/sanded them from 220 grit to 1500 and finished with Mother's.

later on:
latex gloves are a must or you'll have aluminum powder under your nails for a week! the 220 grit is mostly for around the welds. but basically don't move up to the lighter grits until the pores are out of the aluminum.

the link(w/ pics): http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=4191291

yep anodizing . I had these bars before .

there is no fight club.

but yeah, i'm 99.9% sure you're right about it being ano after reading more about it in threads like the one you linked.

gonna go that route and see what happens... thanks!

yeah it will work.
good luck & check your private messages dude

measuring now...