Removing Branding
 

Disclaimer: I did a handful of searches and couldn't find anything. If it's right there, please include a link with the flames.

I ordered a custom bike recently, and part of what I wanted was an unbranded bicycle, I just loathe branding.

With the exception of a few parts, I've gotten there. My hubs have stamped brands, but they are uncolored, so I'll deal with that. My headset is from Chris King, and they're ****ing *****s who slap their branding on everything and refuse to budge, I haven't figured out what to do about that yet.

My cranks are Sugino 75s, and my seatpost is a Thomson Elite. Both appear to have the branding somehow printed onto the component, and I'm trying to figure out how to get it off. Has anyone had luck with solvents, as opposed to sandpaper and the like? I'm a bit uncomfortable sanding aluminum components though maybe I shouldn't be.

Any suggestions for getting the branding off?

The Thomson stuff is laser-d into the aluminum, it's not coming off.

Fabricate your own components with no branding on them.

That would require skills and equipment I don't have. I wouldn't trust anything I built to survive the weight of one of my socks, much less me.

It was in jest dude, sarcasm-o-meter. You're not going to get everything off without removing anodization/powdercoat and re-doing both. That said sometimes 0000# steel wool will remove thinly-painted logos on finished surfaces, like the "BULLETPROOF" logo on their crank arms. And even then the Thomson logo just isn't coming off.

did you put together your bike? If you did and you don't trust your mechanical skills I'd hate to be in your mind when you bomb hills.

Hell no! I considered putting it together, ran the brake cables, mounted the cog and freewheel, spent roughly 2 hours trying to put on handlebar tape, put everything in a box and paid someone to keep me from killing myself.

EDIT: Damn about that Thomson stuff, it's so big and ugly, and just SCREAMS "steal me"

regarding the 75s... you can do what I did... have wide feet and leather straps that rub on the arm and just wait a while. although, only the "75" really came off. either way, if theft is what you are afraid of, anyone who is going to rip off your cranks while your bike is locked up outside already knows what they're looking for anyway.

Why don't you just buy generic parts instead of buying brand name components? I never really understand the "hatred" some people have with branding. It's really not that serious. I could understand if you want to remove them for aesthetic reasons but it seems like you have some personal issues with brands.

To Cizzlak, theft is a secondary concern, the main concern is aesthetic.

To drainyoo. I hate wearing brandnames. I don't want to be someone's walking ad unless I'm paid for it. I certainly don't want to pay to be someone's walking advertisement. It is both aesthetically nicer and personally more satisfying to avoid branding. This next bit may come out sounding aggressive, but it's not meant that way: I don't particularly need you to understand, it's just something that I prefer. I don't expect you to feel the same way, or want to make you think the same, I just don't like branding. I don't own a single item of clothing (except for gym clothes) with branding, and I'd like to get my bike to be that way as well.

Are you serious? Check out these ******-o-bikes in the road forum.

http://www.robritz.com/blog/files/bmc.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...s/46cfe5ea.jpg

If you're not pro, and you're not sponsored why the **** would you ride some companies logo? Unless you really really liked their stuff?

Don't get me wrong that's your right dude, I just don't get it. Branding is more than just an advertisement. It's just odd to me that someone would let something so meaningless bother them so much. There are brands everywhere, it's part of life. Nothing wrong with it. But I guess I'm the wrong guy to talk to since I work in advertising.

Are you serious? Why would someone walk around with that Nike logo on their shoes? Why would someone wear a cap with the logo of a sports team? Why would someone use a credit card branded with a companies logo? I can respect if someone prefers no branding but to have such issues with it like you doesn't make any sense to me. There's nothing wrong with branding. Personally I think the branding on those bikes add to the aesthetics.

In the end it's just a logo and some text. Don't let it get you all bent out of shape.

If you buy parts that you like, you are still supporting that company, regardless of the branding on the part. That's what I think, at least.

That BMC is sick dank, by the way.

Just a post above this you pointed out that you're the wrong person to discuss this with since you work in advertising. I get it, you like branding, you think branding makes bikes look better. I dislike branding, I think it makes bikes look ugly, tacky, and busy. I detest the aesthetics of the bikes he posted, and I'm trying to make my bike look perfect for me. I know you think I'm bent out of shape, but how many posts do you need to say that in? Calm down, we're not trying to put you out of a job.

Edit: Agree completely with Hxzero.

I'm actually really calm. I don't think branding always makes bikes look better, I've removed branding before because it was ugly, but my point is branding represents a lot more than just free advertisement. If you buy a companies product because you like what the company is doing or you appreciate their quality, I don't see how it makes sense to remove the branding because you think you're giving them free advertisement. In reality you're paying for that advertising because all brands factor in advertising costs into the prices of their products. If you really hate branding and advertising then why not just buy brand-x items and be done with it? Even guys like you who claim to hate branding are very much affected by it and make purchasing decisions based on it. That's why you bought Thompson, Sugino and CK products.

Anyway, I'm done. Sorry for skewing the thread.

I ride a Streetfire SSX with Record Carbon. I'm not sponsored. I don't understand your issue.

Back on topic though, steel wool, things like badges you can heat up then remove by hand or with pliers etc...

Christ you guys are useless HERE'S AN ACTUAL ANSWER.
I've heard that very fine steel wool will take the "KING" silkscreening right off of the aluminum, someone I know did that with a pair of cranks.
I recommended this in another thread and someone had this advice:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.p...9&postcount=77
He knows his stuff.

i got the soma logos off my soma track bars fairly easily with a little goo gone and my finger nails.

To get the "Thomson" off of the seatpost, use a kalloy post and give the Thomson to me. I will bear the burden of a seatpost that has a word on it.

I just had the best revelation, since you don't have the skills or tools to make the components without a brand name flashing or showing on them, why don't you just outsource production to American Apparel? You'll never have to worry about brand names showing again.

everything will cost 3-4 times the price of equal clothing, be made in America, and come in a smattering array of primary and pastel colors. Excellent.

disclaimer: i love AA

you can get them for like $6 each on trendyblanks

I refuse to pay $15 for a plain t-shirt even if it does fit well and have a good color selection

^or you can walk across the street to H&M and get the same cut and design (albeit with more limited colors) for $6. Not "made in downtown LA" though.

more importantly: why would someone wear a hat that said "sox"? i mean, it is clearly a hat. who do they think they're fooling?

sheesh.

Thomson stuff is nice . the best stems i ever had was the Elite x4 .. unreal quality .
i like brands and logos and the such . if you dont ,put tape on it .