Head is painted, how do I remove paint from fin edges?

[Guest]

I have painted the head for my GPz. The fin edges were a natural/polsihed metal. How do I remove the paint on just the edges, keeping the other paint intact?
I have a finish sander (the vibrating type), I can get a sanding disc attachment for my electric drill, and I have a dremel tool. I guess I would also like to polish the edges?
My first time to do this, so any constructive ideas are welcome.
Thanks.

[posplayr]

First thing I do is get a fine flat file and files the edges. If you think you might get close to something you dont want bare then put some masking tape over it.

Then I clean up the head and paint it. If your is already painted then you will just have to clean up more stuff.

Finally with my nice clean edges, it is easy to go over with some 400 grit sandpaper and a sanding block to git a nice satin finish in contrast to the paint.

If the sanded areas are large then maybe even go 800 grit and put a little polish over it.

[koolaid_kid]

The head is already painted. The file is a good idea to remove the paint, since it is a bit thick and would clog up sandpaper pretty quickly. I'll get some new flat bastard files today for that. My finish sander is an electric substitute for a sanding block, and I have emory cloth/black sandpaper from 320 grit up to 2000 grit.
I need to polish the edges on my GS fins as well, this will be good practice in preparation for that task.

[Mindless]

I just took some 80 grit paper and sanded it off gently.



Depending on what kind of finish you want, just use finer grit.

[Agemax]

The head is already painted. The file is a good idea to remove the paint, since it is a bit thick and would clog up sandpaper pretty quickly. I'll get some new flat bastard files today for that. My finish sander is an electric substitute for a sanding block, and I have emory cloth/black sandpaper from 320 grit up to 2000 grit.
I need to polish the edges on my GS fins as well, this will be good practice in preparation for that task.

you do not need bastard files unless you want to file away your head! as stated, get a sanding block and use it wet. make sure the paint has properly dried first and you will be good. finish it off with 600 800 then 1000 grit paper for a polished finish

[koolaid_kid]

I started today with 320 grit on my finish sander. That is when I discovered the imperfections in the fins. They were not even, so I had bright shiny spots intermingled with black paint. Looked kind of like an Apaloosa.
I wonder if a sanding block would do better, or if I would do better if I started with 80 grit instead. I have 320, 400, 600, 1000 & 2000. But until those black bits are gone, I see no use in going forward.
You have the look I want, Mindless.

[awjonesii]

I agree with the sanding block. Wet sand after the paint has cured.

Of course you could use a hand grinder with a 3.5 inch heavy duty grinding wheel to really grind it down...hell you could just smooth away all the fins that way too, be easier to paint next time.

[Steve]

I used files on the two engines I have done so far. Didn't take very much off, but most of the fins had a casting line.
I just took that down to a flat edge.

I learned from the mistakes on the first one and filed the edges first, then painted, then scraped the paint off the edges.

.

[Mindless]

Actually, I did some prep work using a file first to get the fins flat, but that was before I painted the engine. The casting on the fins isn't perfect so they will be a bit rough around the edges if you just sandpaper them.

[koolaid_kid]

I agree with the sanding block. Wet sand after the paint has cured.

Of course you could use a hand grinder with a 3.5 inch heavy duty grinding wheel to really grind it down...hell you could just smooth away all the fins that way too, be easier to paint next time.

I vote for Al's method. Mind if I do it in your garage? Smartaleck.

[koolaid_kid]

Actually, I did some prep work using a file first to get the fins flat, but that was before I painted the engine. The casting on the fins isn't perfect so they will be a bit rough around the edges if you just sandpaper them.

This is what I am seeing. I went ahead and repainted the edges because they looked so bad. Not sure what to do now, they look better all black than splotched.

[posplayr]

you do not need bastard files unless you want to file away your head! as stated, get a sanding block and use it wet. make sure the paint has properly dried first and you will be good. finish it off with 600 800 then 1000 grit paper for a polished finish

The file is to actually cut down the fin to give it a uniform edge. The GS1100E heads are rough cast and the edge is pinched down irregular.

After I looked at a HD up close and realized how deeply they machined the fins I had at it.

Once the fin is filed down, and sanded with 400, I paint over it and after the paint hardens the 400/Block Sanding takes the paint right off leaving a very nice surface

I would not use an electic sander it is to big and you will likely run it across some other painted surface you dont intend.

[Agemax]

The file is to actually cut down the fin to give it a uniform edge. The GS1100E heads are rough cast and the edge is pinched down irregular.

After I looked at a HD up close and realized how deeply they machined the fins I had at it.

Once the fin is filed down, and sanded with 400, I paint over it and after the paint hardens the 400/Block Sanding takes the paint right off leaving a very nice surface

I would not use an electic sander it is to big and you will likely run it across some other painted surface you dont intend.

i just thought a bastard file sounds a bit drastic

[koolaid_kid]

Please note, this is a finish sander, a Makita B04550 4"x4" vibrating sander. It is a small hand-held, but can't do wet sanding for obvious reasons.
From my initial results, it sounds like I need to use the file (or borrow Al's grinder) ). Hmmm.

[posplayr]

i just thought a bastard file sounds a bit drastic

Not really you might need to take 1/8" off the end of the fin to get a uniform flat surface. The HD are machined with something and I bet thay take off more like 5/32" or more.

I use a fine tooth and take my time.