Used to strip frames with paint stripper, now I just sand them down

I was always a chemical stripper guy because I thought sanding would take forever and wreck the frame. Then I had to do a 90s MTB frame last fall at a shop in Portland and the stripper just made a huge mess. Switched to an 80 grit flap wheel on my angle grinder and it cut the job from 4 hours to under 2. Anyone else find that sanding actually saves time once you get the technique down?

3 comments

3 Comments

oscar74326d ago

oh man, careful with those 80 grit flap wheels on an angle grinder. you're taking off way more metal than you think, especially on old thin tubing. ive seen guys gouge the living hell out of a frame doing that. you're better off with 120 or 150 grit and just taking your time, or you'll end up with a wavy mess that needs filler.

felix_williams7125d ago

Wait, you've actually seen someone do that with 80 grit on old tubing? @oscar743 that's just asking for trouble. One wrong angle and you're basically sanding through the whole frame.

the_emery25d ago

Used to be on the chemical stripper team too. Got turned around on a build last winter and @oscar743 you're right, 120 or 150 grit is the smarter play I've learned the hard way.