Removing Paint

[enjine]

Hey guys,
I'm going to strip the paint from my '99 R1100R tank. :uhoh
Rock Miracle has been suggested as a good solvent to strip the existing paint. Do you have any other recommendations or experience?

[MCMXCIVRS]

You could have it bead blasted. Fairly common for auto retoration work. They can even remove the paint by layer leaving the original primers intact if required. There are various medias used for doing this, walnut shells, sand, glass bead, plastic bead etc, they should know what is best for the job.

[dronning]

I have seen these guys take the paint off an empty Coke can without denting the can.

If there is no reason to take it down to bare metal just have them remove the color coat.

Dave

[enjine]

well, i was thinking of getting the tank chromed :brow
or maybe just bringing it down to the metal and covering it with something to keep it from oxidizing.
bead blasting still apply?

[dlearl476]

I have seen these guys take the paint off an empty Coke can without denting the can.

If there is no reason to take it down to bare metal just have them remove the color coat.

Dave


Not to mention if there was any "finishing work" done to the original tank, you'll have that to do over as well. I don't know how nice BMW tanks were on the way to the painters, but I know some folks that were shocked when taking their "original paint" classics down to bare metal at the amount of body filler that came from the factory.

Also, taking anything down to bare metal increases the chance of rust bubbling up within a few years, unless the tank is immediately treated then primered.

[enjine]

ahhh interesting and great point about the finishing. hmmmm i really wonder what it looks like under there now.
i guess i should study up more about this if it does need to be treated immediately after stripping. i really don't know the first thing about it, but i have the extra tank and wanted to get to work at at least stripping off the paint before deciding to chrome or not. i guess i'll have to make that decision first.

[dronning]

well, i was thinking of getting the tank chromed :brow
or maybe just bringing it down to the metal and covering it with something to keep it from oxidizing.
bead blasting still apply?

Yep you can still bead blast down to bare metal.

If you do chemical strip make certain you neutralize it ASAP clean prep & put on a coat of primer. As dlearl476 mentioned rust is a potential issue. I have seen freshly stripped parts begin to develop rust the same day they were stripped because they were NOT treated properly.

Dave

[GlobalRider]

Do you have any other recommendations or experience?

I'd chemically strip it. Thats what I'll be doing to my G/S PD gas tank.

I've glass beaded thin sheet metal and you can warp it. Why chance it?

[RiverRat280]

If your just re-painting it and the current paint is in good condition you just need to scuff it with 320 grit and re-paint. If the paint is lifting or cracked then I just strip it with 80 grit on a DA sander then prime and paint it. Don't worry about stripping to bare metal you just need to sand it lightly before priming to get rid of corrosion.

[PUDGYPAINTGUY]

Go to a Murrays or Auto Zone or a jobber store and buy a couple of spray cans of paint stripper. It works quickly and efficiently. I use a scotchbrite pad on the paint first to scratch it and then spray it on. I then cover it with plastic as this really cooks the stripper and the paint just blisters off. Take a plastic scraper/putty knife and then remove the paint easily. Whatever is left repeat the process. When done, just wash it in water (or solvent, just read the can for best neutralizer) to neutralize. The edges etc can be sanded easily to remove.

Before applying stripper, cover openings and remove emblems and anything that can be damaged. Wrap with foil then duct tape for protecting fuel taps etc.

Wear goggles and wear rubber gloves and be careful with stripper. Follow the safety instructions and you would be fine.

[cwsenn]

Go to a Murrays or Auto Zone or a jobber store and buy a couple of spray cans of paint stripper. It works quickly and efficiently. I use a scotchbrite pad on the paint first to scratch it and then spray it on. I then cover it with plastic as this really cooks the stripper and the paint just blisters off. Take a plastic scraper/putty knife and then remove the paint easily. Whatever is left repeat the process. When done, just wash it in water (or solvent, just read the can for best neutralizer) to neutralize. The edges etc can be sanded easily to remove.

Before applying stripper, cover openings and remove emblems and anything that can be damaged. Wrap with foil then duct tape for protecting fuel taps etc.

Wear goggles and wear rubber gloves and be careful with stripper. Follow the safety instructions and you would be fine.

+1 :thumb

I have stripped many coats of paint, I own a sandblast cabintet as well. This advice is right on. I peronally use Aircraft Paint stripper from Home Depot and just brush on, wait 15 or 30 minutes and scrape off, or brush off. It's quick and fairly simple.

[enjine]

thanks guys,
so if i use the aircraft stripper, i assume after getting all of the paint off, i then have to treat/coat the metal. what do you suggest i treat it with?

[cwsenn]

Read what is says on the can to be certain but probably with soap and water. I wipe down thoroughly with lacquer thinner and then a light sanding prior to painting and have never had any problems.

[PUDGYPAINTGUY]

You are correct, the bare steel (mild steel) will need to be treated quickly as flash corrosion can begin relatively quickly. Depending upon how quickly you are going to be painting it, what you paint it with and whether you need to do any bodywork will determine the best and most practical approach to metal treatment.

When it comes to paint coatings I would recommend caution about buying the rattle cans from the store as many brands can contain resins and solvents that can react easily with subsequent coatings and the savings made early will disappear later.

Feel free to PM me if you wish to share your plans for the bike and we can discuss some options, or keep it here either way. Be happy to help with opinions, lots of them to go around...LOL.