Best way to remove old clear coat on fork tubes

S

SupportThe Second

New Member
Searched for some suggestions but didn't see any. 74 RD350, I have looked into clear coat removers, and wet sanding to remove the clear coat off the front forks and buff out the aluminum, have had some luck with a dremel and a drill with a buffing pad and compound but it's been slow going that route. Has anyone tried the clear coat removal method (chemical) or the wet sanding route?

Grinding through the clear coat with either the dremel or the drill is major slow going. Thanks for any tips and or advice, the bike doesn't need much but some clean up and a seat cover as I just had it gone through last week from our local vintage mechanic and he gave a good report back on seals, carbs, jetting etc etc. Just needs some cosmetics and a color matching right side cover.
 
I did it with emery cloth, progressively work to fine grit sand paper and buff the heck out of it. It takes quite a bit of elbow grease, so don't try and do it in one sitting.
 
Aircraft remover. Just long enough to loosen up the clear.
Then polish.
 
The problem with a small tool like a Dremel is two fold, one it takes for ever as you have noticed... but the second is the uneven appearance when your done. You want LOOOOONG strokes to keep the finished product smooth, not "blotchy". Although on none of my builds I haven't used it on the fork lowers... Aircraft Stripper makes short work of the clear-coat on the engine covers, it bubbles up in the first coat and the second coat removes any lingering debris.
Can't imagine the fork lowers would be any different.


I have however used the sanding / elbow grease method. That's why I had a grease zert installed in my right elbow. ;)
 
If you plan on fully polishing the lowers, you really need a bench top setup to do it right. There are some really nice write ups around the forum on the process. It's a labor intensive and filthy job.
 
VonYinzer said:
If you plan on fully polishing the lowers, you really need a bench top setup to do it right. There are some really nice write ups around the forum on the process. It's a labor intensive and filthy job.
Click to expand...


Yep, you will have black snot for days... ask me how I know. ::)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

DTT Light or Dark

  • DTT Light

    • Spread the Love

    Back
    Top Bottom