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Tips for Removing Old Clear Coat on Aluminum

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    #1

    Tips for Removing Old Clear Coat on Aluminum

    So...

    I have a lot of aluminum that needs clean up and polishing on my '83 GS650GL. (Engine side covers, wheels, etc.)

    What's the best way to remove any remaining old yellowed clear coat on those parts before starting to polish with a buffing wheel and buffing compound?

    Can you just buff that old stuff off, or not? If not, what? Do you use some sort of solvent or paint stripper to remove it? Do you wet sand it?

    I'd appreciate any advice and experience on this.

    ***
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    #2
    I sanded the clear off when I did a set of wheels once. takes forever. you can use a stripper, and then you can sand out your aluminum to fix imperfections stepping the grit until you are at 1500 or 2000, then start your buffing.

    most people I know use aircraft stripper for things like this, but its still a messy pain most of the time

    Comment

      #3
      If the clear coat is pretty old and yellowed and dried out. I use steel wool, takes awhile but it gets it.

      But once you got it down to the aluminum though it does take some effort to keep it that way. Especially if you let water sit on it too long.
      sigpic
      Steve
      "The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page."
      _________________
      '79 GS1000EN
      '82 GS1100EZ

      Comment

        #4
        i use spray on paint stripper and wait 15 minutes.
        MY BIKES..1977 GS 750 B, 1978 GS 1000 C (X2)
        1978 GS 1000 E, 1979 GS 1000 S, 1973 Yamaha TX 750, 1977 Kawasaki KZ 650B1, 1975 Honda GL1000 Goldwing, 1983 CB 650SC Nighthawk, 1972 Honda CB 350K4, 74 Honda CB550

        NEVER SNEAK UP ON A SLEEPING DOG..NOT EVEN YOUR OWN.


        I would rather trust my bike to a "QUACK" that KNOWS how to fix it rather than a book worm that THINKS HE KNOWS how to fix it.

        Comment

          #5
          I have yet to find an easy way to get the old clear off. I tried the aircraft stripper and found it to be useless.

          The best method I have found is an electric DA sander and several discs. Not great for tight spots, but over all it cut down on the hand sanding.

          Comment

            #6
            I knew a gal once. She was a spray on stripper.
            I use gel or spray on strippers with great success.
            Outdoors
            gloves and plenty of water and use eyewear.

            Comment

              #7
              Rich...the temp of the metal plays a huge role. Warm the metal up till its kinda warm and the stripper will work much better.
              MY BIKES..1977 GS 750 B, 1978 GS 1000 C (X2)
              1978 GS 1000 E, 1979 GS 1000 S, 1973 Yamaha TX 750, 1977 Kawasaki KZ 650B1, 1975 Honda GL1000 Goldwing, 1983 CB 650SC Nighthawk, 1972 Honda CB 350K4, 74 Honda CB550

              NEVER SNEAK UP ON A SLEEPING DOG..NOT EVEN YOUR OWN.


              I would rather trust my bike to a "QUACK" that KNOWS how to fix it rather than a book worm that THINKS HE KNOWS how to fix it.

              Comment

                #8
                The procedure I use is:
                First, I use a Scotch Bright type pad(fine) that mounts on a 90° Die Grinder. That will smooth out any casting marks and imperfections. For the screw indentations and coroners you can't get to. Use the same type of Scotch Bright pad but for a Dremal tool. (the little things are expensive so be gentle)
                Second, I go over the part with a Scotch Bright hand pad about 320 grit that will take out the swirl marks.
                Third, hit it with 400-600 grit wet sanding sandpaper.
                Then you will be ready for the buffer.
                Buffing tips:
                Wear a dust mask and eye protection!
                Wear cotton brown jersey gloves ( the parts will get warm)
                Take the buffer outside in the lawn. So when the part flies out of your hand(it will) it won't slam on the concrete floor. Then you'll be going back to step one.
                For the screw indentations and coroners use a buffing flob in your Dremal tool.
                For the final polishing I use Mother's Mag & Aluminum polish with a hand towel. It's the best I ever came across.
                It is definitely a dirty job, but the finished product is worth it! Good-luck
                My Motorcycles:
                22 Kawasaki Z900 RS (Candy Tone Blue)
                22 BMW K1600GT (Probably been to a town near you)
                82 1100e Drag Bike (needs race engine)
                81 1100e Street Bike (with race engine)
                79 1000e (all original)
                82 850g (all original)
                80 KZ 650F (needs restored)

                Comment

                  #9
                  Just as everyone else. I sanded w 400 then 800 then scotch brite then polishing wheel.

                  Comment

                    #10
                    Hrs and hrs of wasted time sanding....you guys really need lessons in how to quickly and efficiently do polishing work. Sanding is only needed for deep scratch and gouge removal...anything other than thats a time and materials waste.

                    This side cover was about 1 1/2 hrs from start of stripping till done. And it was as grey as an old ladies hair.



                    Heres my TX covers..about 2 1/4 hrs there...



                    Heres an hrs worth on Gregs Cooley covers and you all know how tyrashed they were.

                    MY BIKES..1977 GS 750 B, 1978 GS 1000 C (X2)
                    1978 GS 1000 E, 1979 GS 1000 S, 1973 Yamaha TX 750, 1977 Kawasaki KZ 650B1, 1975 Honda GL1000 Goldwing, 1983 CB 650SC Nighthawk, 1972 Honda CB 350K4, 74 Honda CB550

                    NEVER SNEAK UP ON A SLEEPING DOG..NOT EVEN YOUR OWN.


                    I would rather trust my bike to a "QUACK" that KNOWS how to fix it rather than a book worm that THINKS HE KNOWS how to fix it.

                    Comment

                      #11
                      I can do an entire bike...fork lowers included in about 6 1/2 to 8 hrs depending on how deep the oxidation has gone.
                      MY BIKES..1977 GS 750 B, 1978 GS 1000 C (X2)
                      1978 GS 1000 E, 1979 GS 1000 S, 1973 Yamaha TX 750, 1977 Kawasaki KZ 650B1, 1975 Honda GL1000 Goldwing, 1983 CB 650SC Nighthawk, 1972 Honda CB 350K4, 74 Honda CB550

                      NEVER SNEAK UP ON A SLEEPING DOG..NOT EVEN YOUR OWN.


                      I would rather trust my bike to a "QUACK" that KNOWS how to fix it rather than a book worm that THINKS HE KNOWS how to fix it.

                      Comment

                        #12
                        Sanding is just silly
                        disolve the yellow crap with chemicals then buff with a progressively fine compound.
                        silly

                        Comment

                          #13
                          Jeepster..I use one compound...BLACK MAGIC. Then I do a quick follow up with BUSCHES SUPER SHINE ALUMINUM POLISH and the white cotton wheel on the buffer machine..done.

                          Its so quick and easy its just silly. Dirty as all get out but its almost effortless.
                          MY BIKES..1977 GS 750 B, 1978 GS 1000 C (X2)
                          1978 GS 1000 E, 1979 GS 1000 S, 1973 Yamaha TX 750, 1977 Kawasaki KZ 650B1, 1975 Honda GL1000 Goldwing, 1983 CB 650SC Nighthawk, 1972 Honda CB 350K4, 74 Honda CB550

                          NEVER SNEAK UP ON A SLEEPING DOG..NOT EVEN YOUR OWN.


                          I would rather trust my bike to a "QUACK" that KNOWS how to fix it rather than a book worm that THINKS HE KNOWS how to fix it.

                          Comment

                            #14
                            OH...and use WIZARDS POWER SEAL when done and once each spring ( unless you really enjoy wearing out your arm repolishing stuff ).
                            MY BIKES..1977 GS 750 B, 1978 GS 1000 C (X2)
                            1978 GS 1000 E, 1979 GS 1000 S, 1973 Yamaha TX 750, 1977 Kawasaki KZ 650B1, 1975 Honda GL1000 Goldwing, 1983 CB 650SC Nighthawk, 1972 Honda CB 350K4, 74 Honda CB550

                            NEVER SNEAK UP ON A SLEEPING DOG..NOT EVEN YOUR OWN.


                            I would rather trust my bike to a "QUACK" that KNOWS how to fix it rather than a book worm that THINKS HE KNOWS how to fix it.

                            Comment

                              #15
                              Use "Zip Strip"! Brush it on, wait about 10 minutes, the wash it of with water, then buff it until you get the shine you want! Done!!
                              sigpicIt wasnt me! I didnt do it! You cant prove anything!
                              82 1100EZ

                              Comment

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