Removing paint from carbon fibre?

[retskcid]

Hi,

I would be grateful if anyone could advise me on removing paint from carbon fibre? I just bought an S4 and most of the CF has been painted! I dont mind some of it but some of it has to go. I thought of paint stripper.....

Cheers

Rich

[JerryXt]

nononononononono! Don't put chemicals anywhere near cf! The resin may break down and you'll be left with a floppy bit of sticky material.

Most carbon has varnish applied over the top. Use a fine wet and dry to remove the paint down to the varnish. Don't use powertools as the localised heat will burn the carbon.

[dunlop0_1]

You can use paint stripper but you have to be quick. You can also rub the paint off, either way the carbon will need to be re laquered. I have done it both ways with good results but the laquer does tend to chip easy. Best thing is to first try on a bit you can't see. I did among other bits the front mud guard on my 748. Now i did use a spray gun an 2k laquer on the mudguard but the air box and heat shield were done using an aerosol.
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q289/dunlop0_1/IM001174.jpg
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q289/dunlop0_1/IM001175.jpg

[JerryXt]

no, really, don't

[dunlop0_1]

no, really, don't
Jerry, what's your fear of carbon mate? Ive been painting for almost 25 years and always found a way round any problems like this.

[NattyBoy]

nitro mors is your friend..


ONLY KIDDING !!! Good luck..should be possible with some care..

[Scotty]

depending on the original lacquer you may be left with specks of primer/paint in the weave of the carbon fibre

[JerryXt]

I've got £00,000s of pounds of carbon bike bits and a carbon flight case that I've made to put a bike in when I'm travelling to an event.

My safety depends on it working correctly so I treat it as I''m told to by people much wiser than me :D

Seriously, I've had carbon fail on me and it's not pretty.

[retskcid]

"nitro mors" - thats what I had in mind :biggrin:

Mmmm, it'll be a lot of freakin work without chemicals :thumbsdown: Perhaps I'll try the rub down method and see how I get on.

Cheers for the advice.

Rich

[barbican]

See if anyone in your area does Plastic Media Blasting, this should be able to just remove the paint, and then you can re-lacquer

[retskcid]

Thanks, thats useful to know.

[retskcid]

Everyones got an opinion:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=87862

I think I'll try sanding first

[JerryXt]

I think the difference is that I'm using carbon for its weight and structural properties. Fairings and mudguards use carbon for weight and appearance - they're not structural and can take more abuse without losing perceived integrity.

[retskcid]

Good point Jerry, it had occured to me that it wouldn't be a disaster if it went wrong for exactly that reason - perhaps I'll try the lazy method first afterall.

[retskcid]

I have had a rethink about this. Since I want to change the colour of the tank/seat unit anyway, I may as well do them and the front mudguard/rear hugger in the same paint - I want a "Senna" look, or similar dark colour. It will be easier painting it all rather than trying to strip the paint off the CF.


I quite like the dark grey here with satin black wheels (quite sympathetic to the original Senna colour):

http://www.gtr.co.uk/forum/upload/59561-request-gun-metal-grey-gtrs.html


So question is, what type of paint is used on CF? Is it DIYable?

Anyone used these guys:

http://www.bikespray.co.uk/html/our_service.html


Thanks guys.

Rich

[alreadyinuse]

Nail varnish remover the kind with aceton in and some cotton wool.
rub hard.
wash in water afterwards.

[dlloyduk]

Soda blasting?

[retskcid]

Nail varnish remover the kind with aceton in and some cotton wool.
rub hard.
wash in water afterwards.

will that take the laquer off? I'll try it on the radiator end pieces.