Is it possible to remove clear coat?
 

Picked up a Ciocc Designer 84 and the previous owner got carried away with the clear over the original paint. Is there a way to remove the excess and not damage the paint? Thanks
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...24aa6c7bf.jpeg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...bd6c64582.jpeg

I hope it's only only a photo/my paranoia, but this image makes me want to run a finger along the underneath of the top and down tubes just behind the head lugs.


https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0e1904a8bf.jpg

Its fine, no bulge, a lot of orange peel from the clearcoat

I used meguiar's ultimate compound to smooth out clear coat orange peel.... works great

https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-G172...62&sr=8-7&th=1

That looks like catalyzed "2 part" that had bubbles in it from the mixing, and was then put on too thick.


Easiest might be to sand all those edges back, polish as previously recommended, then aggressive "Lug Lining".

Several years ago when I got my DeRosa, it had some rust around the top tube cable guides. I soaked paper towels in Evaporust and put them on the guides to soak, covered by. Saran Wrap. Next day the whole area was discolored and opaque. I don’t remember my thought process, but surely there was some panic involved. I started scraping at it and the opaque section was removed, leaving the paint undamaged beneath. When everything dried, the whole thing looked normal again, except for the areas where I presumably removed the clearcoat.

That is the sum of my experience with clear coat removal, except maybe can include the time when I tired to remove a damaged decal on my Ciöcc and ended up removing the paint too. Forgot how I did that one but it is also my beat up, awesome riding bike.

Rattle can clear? "GOOF OFF" let me WIPE the years or maybe decades old silver spray paint off this Centurion, and left the original paint untouched.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a7a132ef84.jpg
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Pretty sure he said it was automotive clear, probably around 5 heavy coats.

Did you get an admission of the clearcoat used?

hopefully a large discount for the botched painting.

I would call it a “rider”, service and be done with it.

That’s basically my plan, I got a good deal and did a cheap build of parts I had on hand to make it a nice rider. It’s a tener, tener or twenty feet away it looks nice.
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You might try citrus cleaner (NOT citristrip !) and a small bristle brush in a limited area. I used it to remove band names from cab tolex and guitar cases. Requires monitoring to some extent. A definite maybe on automotive stuff.
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I would start with isopropyl, then acetone, then citrus cleaner (Goo-gone) then Goof-off.

Sometimes crummy paint will dissolve with just alcohol. Try it in a discrete spot, first.

It looks great from here. If it were mine, I would use 220 grit wet sanded on the heaviest spots, then 400 grit, 800 or 1000 grit, 2000 grit followed by a rubbing compound. I like 3M. Then a polishing compound. And finally your favorite car wax.

If you decide to do lug lining, I have done it with one of those tiny tube, Fluid Writer Pen. Link to Amazon Fluid Liner Pen. I used Testors gold paint and it worked great.

Since you started the post, you are now obligated to follow through with your technique and results, or let us know that you realize that the bike looks great when you are riding it, you love it and a little clearcoat is not going to change anything.

Love that Ciocc. I remember that thread fondly! I am about to finally build mine up after salvaging the old paint while trying to do a blending thingy (spoiler: it is at best, derusted and now protected from the elements…)

As for clear coat removal. I’ve only ever been able to smooth and remove a little bit.

I ended up taking the bike back to the bare frame. I’m slowly stripping the clear off all the chrome. I’m able to flake the heavy clear out around the lugs and blend it down. After all that’s done I’ll touch up a few spot and I think I’ll be satisfied with it.

Careful with the clear on the chrome. I lost the top layer of chrome even using gentle methods. It’s basically polished nickel now…

In fairness, it was a project bike and sold as such…

I can live with that..
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...02d57be83.jpeg
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Looks great!

Thanks

did you use no 7 compound where you did not strip the paint?

Uhmmmm..... but that looks like ripples on the tube and not orange peel on the paint??
is it just a big amount of paint sag??

sloar, These extra fine line paint pens are great for lug lining; Sharpie 35532 gold paint, oil based, extra fine point. Alcohol and q-tip for cleaning up whoopsies.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c8a120b224.jpg

Major orange peel and sag underneath. I’ve been all over this frame and have seen any signs of rust or damage.

So what did you use to get the clear off the paint?

I didn’t, I left the clear on the paint and removed it from the chrome. It’s passable, and I’m ready to ride it.