MKD Posted January 9, 2017 Share Posted January 9, 2017 I'm looking to electroplate a few bike frames DIY - but questions regarding removing the exisitng paint: whats the best paint removal method for a smooth steel finish on the frame? i've sandblasted a few frames in the past, but im not sure if the plating will look as good on the matte blasted finish compared to the powdercoat that has been done on my previous blasted frames. so for best and most complete paint removal do i use - paint stripper? wire wheel? sandblast? a combo? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carsnz123 Posted January 10, 2017 Share Posted January 10, 2017 For not touching the metal surface I've had good results with paint stripper. You want to hang the frame up and shower it in really nasty, and I mean knock out an elephant with a wiff nasty, paint stripper. Coopers works well. Then water blast off after leaving it to sit for a bit. Scotch bright can be used to polish up the metal surface a bit 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Vapour Posted January 10, 2017 Share Posted January 10, 2017 This was going to.be my recommendation. Goldilocks works well also Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
h4nd Posted January 10, 2017 Share Posted January 10, 2017 Any clues on how to shiny up an aluminium cherry pitter / garlic press that I accidently on purpose put through the dishwasher? Acid / nickel salts bath / DC? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kicker Posted January 10, 2017 Share Posted January 10, 2017 I had a frame dip stripped to avoid sanding/blasting marks on the steel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carsnz123 Posted January 10, 2017 Share Posted January 10, 2017 17 minutes ago, h4nd said: Any clues on how to shiny up an aluminium cherry pitter / garlic press that I accidently on purpose put through the dishwasher? Acid / nickel salts bath / DC? Many hours with wet/dry and a buffer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taistorm Posted January 10, 2017 Share Posted January 10, 2017 When I did dabble in a bit of electroplating years back the old boy made sure I would bead blast everything for the best finish. In saying that though I only did nuts, bolts, pulleys etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kempy Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 Paint strip then a fine grade bead may work, would want to test it out on a test patch first though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingbrick Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 I have had a few bits electroplated in gold zinc- I have had all the bits sand blasted first and I really dig the resulting finish. I guess it depends entirely on what you want. I'd upload a photo but can't get it to work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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