aircraft stripper and CF?
05-18-09 | 10:45 PM
#1
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From: Madison, WI
Bikes: Steamroller | Langster
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.
I don't want the weave to start deteriorating on me when doing so.
05-18-09 | 11:30 PM
#5
05-18-09 | 11:35 PM
#6
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From: San Diego
05-18-09 | 11:43 PM
#7
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From: Zang's Spur, CO
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?
05-19-09 | 09:22 PM
#13
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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.
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.
Last edited by dookie; 05-20-09 at 10:11 AM.
05-20-09 | 08:52 AM
#15
out of shape
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From: va
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?
05-20-09 | 10:17 AM
#16
:)
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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
The stupidity on this forum never fails to amaze.
05-20-09 | 10:54 AM
#17
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From: Sacramento CA
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Agreed
__________________
I'm not one for fawning over bicycles, but I do believe that our bikes communicate with us, and what this bike is saying is, "You're an idiot." BikeSnobNYC
I'm not one for fawning over bicycles, but I do believe that our bikes communicate with us, and what this bike is saying is, "You're an idiot." BikeSnobNYC
05-20-09 | 11:30 AM
#18
Don't really have a bike.
Joined: Feb 2009
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From: Wenatchee, WA
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.
05-20-09 | 12:06 PM
#20
:)
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,391
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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
The people saying no realize that aircraft stripper will eat through paint AND the resin/epoxy that holds carbon fiber together.
05-20-09 | 12:14 PM
#21
:)
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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
From Sheldon:
Warnings:
- Do not media blast with any media! Not sand, not plastic, not glass beads, not walnut shells, not steel or ceramic shot. Nothing! Not at even the lightest pressure or for even the shortest time. It is incredibly easy to eat away the carbon and epoxy. Before you know it your part is ruined!
- Do not use chemical paint strippers! They will attack the epoxy resin that holds your part together. Acetone, alcohol and other solvents are okay, but they don't remove paint.
- Do not use heat! Some epoxies undergo glass transition as low as 150 degrees F or so. Keep it under 100 to be safe. If it is too hot to touch with your bare skin, it is too hot. That means no power tools (buffing wheels, sanding discs, etc.) and no heat gun paint strippers, etc.
05-20-09 | 12:30 PM
#22
Senior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 9,102
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From: Zang's Spur, CO
Does the name "Calfee" mean anything to anyone here?
https://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: https://velonews.com/article/9023
https://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: https://velonews.com/article/9023
05-20-09 | 01:27 PM
#23
Old fart
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Appleton WI
Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.
Just because somebody's done it doesn't make it a good idea. Fork failure is potentially fatal.
