aircraft stripper and CF?
 

Has anyone ran into a problem, or know of a problem using paint stripper on a carbon fiber fork? Because "apparently" the same resin used in paints is also used with the carbon fiber process. Although I could swear this paint on the fork is powder coated.

I don't want the weave to start deteriorating on me when doing so.

..

Seriously? Look up powder coating and get back to us.

hey, i have done it, works fine. just dont let it sit forever.

:eek:

+1... Be very careful on the CF as if you let it sit too long or don't remove the residue fully, you may wind up destroying the integrity of the CF.

Safe stripping!

I know what you're thinking. "Did it soak six minutes or only five?" Well, to tell you the truth, in all this excitement I kind of lost track myself. But being as this is a CF fork, essentially just carbon-reinforced paper-thin plastic, and could be softened by a solvent, you've got to ask yourself one question: Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk?

cool story, bro.

jesus. don't do it.

What do people use to repaint CF anyhow? Automotive paint?

Ah hell. I'm going to use the aircraft stripper.

Dont do it!

if you care for your safety and plan to ride it, you will sand it...carefully.

if you can afford to throw the fork away, you will use stripper.

if you are an ignorant fluck, you will use stripper and ride it.

Then don't use it, or this will indeed happen.

you're talking about putting a product (aircraft stripper) designed to soften or dissolve catalyzed epoxy, enamel, or resin on a product (carbon composite fork) structurally made out of catalyzed epoxy or resin. do you see the problem here?

The stupidity on this forum never fails to amaze.

Agreed

my brother rode his completely stripped with aircraft stripper carbon fork for at least 1000 miles before his bike was stolen and he never had any problems. just to say it again after i already had. the people saying no probably have never done it.

I've never done it. I wouldn't do it.

The people saying no realize that aircraft stripper will eat through paint AND the resin/epoxy that holds carbon fiber together.

From Sheldon:

Does the name "Calfee" mean anything to anyone here?

http://www.calfeedesign.com/

Note the next-to-last sentence:

Dear Lennard,
Thankfully! An opportunity to dispel the myth that one shouldn't grease a carbon post!I don't know where the myth started, but carbon composites are not affected by grease. Our advice is simple: If the seatpost fits tight,grease it. If it slips, de-grease it. As has been known for many years, when aluminum and carbon fiber contact each other, galvanic corrosion can start. That is why Calfee uses a fiberglass sleeve as a seat tube shim. Aluminum seat tube (or sleeve) and a carbon post will result in corrosion of the frame and possible seizure of thepost within the frame. A carbon sleeve on an aluminum post will result in corrosion of the post. Salty environments accelerate this corrosion.Anodizing merely slows it down. About the only common chemical that will hurt carbon fiber is paint remover (which attacks the resin between the fibers). But there are many solvents that will dull a nice paintjob.
Craig Calfee

Ref: http://velonews.com/article/9023

Just because somebody's done it doesn't make it a good idea. Fork failure is potentially fatal.

Today Bike Forums taught me that anecdotal evidence can trump materials science for some people.

Yeah, but I'd rather be dead with a cool-looking fork than alive and riding on something stock!