I've been sanding a frame for over a week now and I'm really struggling to get a decent finish. Anyone have any tips? It's an ally beam frame (NC30) and I've used a brass brush and a flap disc on a grinder to get a shitty powder coat off. Now I'm having to sand like a mother trucker to get the old shot blasting marks/brass brass scars/flap disc deep scratches polished out. I've been using various grades of wet and dry from 120 grit to 800 grit. There has to be an easier, less labour intensive way... Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk
Is it going to be re painted or 'brushed alloy' finish? Can't think of an easy way out - it's almost like there is a power tool missing - such as a 'mini' belt sander to get the hard bit done... I just bought a Reciprocating saw today to help with all the bracing I need to chop off the down tubes and headstock - hope it works!
Get the powder coat blasted off and then you can go from there. There's no magic button for getting rid of powder coat, it's rock hard stuff. Or find someone who can chemical bath it off. Otherwise you'll be there till the scots have another referendum!
I think had some foam backed 'grit' pads Padgett said they used them to touch alloy finishes. I had a bit off a mate that worked fantastic on a 999 exhaust, but then bo If you get an even flat you should manage to get a finish - just a bit of patience and keeping in the same direction! I had some foam grit like pads that I got off a mate which were perfect, cleaned a 999R exhaust with ease - but when I tried to find more off Ebay they were crap and didn't work. Clive Padgett said they use course Scottish Bright pads to renovate alloy frame finishes, tried these off Ebay and they were crap - not tried the branded ones though.
I saw some of those pads in my local DIY store but they looked like they wouldn't last long. I need to work out the scratches left by the flap disc too. I shall persevere a little longer. I've spent 4 full days on this and I'm sick of sanding
I like brushed / satin finish on metals, not one for the polished look. 2 ways I've used ...... Pay a metal finisher / polisher to mop the frame, but, not polish it. Mopping is the stage before polishing. All the fine lines are going in the same direction, not heavy scratches left etc and the finish is satin. Alternatively, Scottish bright wheel for your drill. Will give a nice brushed finish. You may need to use an emery type flat wheel first to get deep marks out.
Are you talking about a Powder Coated Frame? Are you mad? Just get it blasted and re-coated. TPCS Magnesium and Alloy Refurbishing Ask for Steve. Drop at the unit or his house - near Box, on the A4 to Bath. This is the 748R one he did for me.
I don't want it blasted and recoated, I want it shiny. It is supposed to be plain aluminium as standard rather than the horrible grey it had been powder coated.
Scotchbright is the way forward, as previously mentioned. Get a scotchbright mop for your drill and get to it.
I'm trying out some hammerite gold paint for a magnesium look. Not looking great right now but I'll give it another coat and a smooth and see how it turns out
Think of the second generation Aprilia RSV-R and it's gold frame, and remember how crap that looked...
