aircraft stripper and CF?
#28
Thread Starter
Bread
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Madison, WI
Bikes: Steamroller | Langster
I haven't done anything yet. Too busy with other things. Funny arguments, people who have had experience with it vs. people who read something and go with it. Along with CCC's post, there's been 2 other people who claimed to get good results from aircraft stripper, quote, "its not like you're leaving the stripper on overnight."
Anyone have any evidence/proof of what DOES happen negatively? Because I couldn't find any pics/stories.
BTW, its a cheap Specialized CF fork, I'm not really TOO worried about it. I do have another fork on hand.
Anyone have any evidence/proof of what DOES happen negatively? Because I couldn't find any pics/stories.
BTW, its a cheap Specialized CF fork, I'm not really TOO worried about it. I do have another fork on hand.
#29
chickenosaurus
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 0
From: Boston, MA
Bikes: 2010 Motobecane Team Track, 1997 GT Edge, 2012 Kilo TT Stripper
I haven't done anything yet. Too busy with other things. Funny arguments, people who have had experience with it vs. people who read something and go with it. Along with CCC's post, there's been 2 other people who claimed to get good results from aircraft stripper, quote, "its not like you're leaving the stripper on overnight."
Anyone have any evidence/proof of what DOES happen negatively? Because I couldn't find any pics/stories.
BTW, its a cheap Specialized CF fork, I'm not really TOO worried about it. I do have another fork on hand.
Anyone have any evidence/proof of what DOES happen negatively? Because I couldn't find any pics/stories.
BTW, its a cheap Specialized CF fork, I'm not really TOO worried about it. I do have another fork on hand.
If the fork is going to be trashed one way or another, maybe you send it to me because you won't ruin it with stripper?
#32
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,301
Likes: 13
https://www.google.com/search?q=stripping+paint+from+carbon+fiber&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US
fficial&client=firefox-a
not one mention of chemical stripping in the 60sec or so of research i did for you.
https://www.calfeedesign.com/pages/price_refinish.php
call these guys and ask them what they think about chemical stripping. i hear they know a thing or two about carbon. actually, $65 for a complete professional fork refinish (scuff/spray) sounds like a bargain.
fficial&client=firefox-anot one mention of chemical stripping in the 60sec or so of research i did for you.
https://www.calfeedesign.com/pages/price_refinish.php
call these guys and ask them what they think about chemical stripping. i hear they know a thing or two about carbon. actually, $65 for a complete professional fork refinish (scuff/spray) sounds like a bargain.
#33
:)
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,391
Likes: 1
From: duluth
Bikes: '07 Pista, '09 Fantom Cross Uno, '8? Miyata, '67 Stingray, '0? Zoo mod trials, Tallbike, Chopper, '73 Schwinn Collegiate, '67 Triumph Chopper, '69 CB350, '58 BSA Spitfire, '73 CB450
It is basically the equivalent of using a plasma cutter to remove the paint from a steel frame.
Nobody uses aircraft stripper on cf it because it is dangerous.
CF is a resin/epoxy/fiber mixture. Aircraft stripper will eat it up, just like paint. Is it that hard to understand?
Spraying down a fork and having it evenly remove the paint is next to impossible, if you have ever used stripper on a steel/aluminum frame, you will know this....
Nobody uses aircraft stripper on cf it because it is dangerous.
CF is a resin/epoxy/fiber mixture. Aircraft stripper will eat it up, just like paint. Is it that hard to understand?
Spraying down a fork and having it evenly remove the paint is next to impossible, if you have ever used stripper on a steel/aluminum frame, you will know this....
#35
#36
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
Using the aerosol Aircraft paint stripper you will find at the local autoparts store on carbon fiber is a bad idea. Go to https://www.kleanstrip.com/ and look at the removers section. The aircraft paint remover clearly states that it is effective against epoxies. This is not what you want. If you're dead set on using a chemical stripper, try the Aircraft Fiberglass paint remover.
Realistically, what is the goal of removing the paint? Unless the fork is only partly painted with solid color and there is visible cosmetic carbon weave that you can see, there is no point in stripping the fork. If the fork is fully painted there is not going to be a layer of woven carbon underneath. Raw carbon is going to look like a matte black. You might as well save yourself the mess and cost by sanding it with some 400 grit and giving it a matte black paint job.
If you do go the chemical route, I recommend doing it outside. Get gloves that come part way up your arms and wear long sleeves/pants. The stardard aircraft paint stripper really sucks to get on your skin.
Realistically, what is the goal of removing the paint? Unless the fork is only partly painted with solid color and there is visible cosmetic carbon weave that you can see, there is no point in stripping the fork. If the fork is fully painted there is not going to be a layer of woven carbon underneath. Raw carbon is going to look like a matte black. You might as well save yourself the mess and cost by sanding it with some 400 grit and giving it a matte black paint job.
If you do go the chemical route, I recommend doing it outside. Get gloves that come part way up your arms and wear long sleeves/pants. The stardard aircraft paint stripper really sucks to get on your skin.
#37
Old fart



Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 26,372
Likes: 5,289
From: Appleton WI
Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.
#38
:)
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,391
Likes: 1
From: duluth
Bikes: '07 Pista, '09 Fantom Cross Uno, '8? Miyata, '67 Stingray, '0? Zoo mod trials, Tallbike, Chopper, '73 Schwinn Collegiate, '67 Triumph Chopper, '69 CB350, '58 BSA Spitfire, '73 CB450
SUBSTANCE DESCRIPTION PERCENT
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TOLUENE 30-- 35
ACETONE 20-- 25
METHYLENE CHLORIDE 20-25
METHANOL 20-25
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TOLUENE 30-- 35
ACETONE 20-- 25
METHYLENE CHLORIDE 20-25
METHANOL 20-25
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