Alu frames, removing paint?

[AARONM3]

I have a 1999 Jamis Durango, not a very popular brand as far as I can gather but it is a decent weight bike and seems reasonably enough specced for my needs. Anyhoo, the frame is 7005 aluminium but unfortunately it is kind of an old English white... or beige if I'm being cruel.

After about 5 years of the bike laying dormant I've really got back into my MTBing in a big way over the last few months so I'm planning to spec it up slowly but surely but I would like to strip back the bike to bare alu and protect it as necessary. Is this possible, easily or shall I just leave it as is, considering it is generally covered in muck when I'm out on the trails??

[beyond rational]

I don't know the intricate details of how to do it so that it doesn't go dull, but as far as i know it is like stripping any alu, it'll need to be laqueured.

[aerospoke]

Hi there

Look for a place that does powdercoatings. Reasonably cheap and durable. Normally they´ll sandblast it before and offer a range of colours. If you find a cheap place they should doit for about 50 pounds.

Cheers jens

[victormeldrew]

You'd want bead blasting, not sand blasting IMHO.

[Rednut05]

I don't know how much this will all cost but Alu frames can be hard for quite cheap...keep that in mind when you get a quote.

[dilbert]

Here, if you're going that far, you could have it anodised, and clear passivated. Could look quite cool!

Edited by dilbert on Tuesday 10th October 02:59

[spdpug98]

I'm interested in this as well, as I bought an (Ali) Trek bike a few years ago of a mate who had repainted the frame in silver paint. I have just started riding it again (after being in the shed for years) and the paint has all started to rust through and am not sure what is the best thing to do should I just sand it down and lacquer it or sand down and paint

[pdV6]

spdpug98 said:

I bought an (Ali) Trek bike a few years ago of a mate who had repainted the frame in silver paint. ... and the paint has all started to rust through

Rust? Alu frame?

You sure its not steel?

[spdpug98]

pdV6 said:

spdpug98 said:

I bought an (Ali) Trek bike a few years ago of a mate who had repainted the frame in silver paint. ... and the paint has all started to rust through

Rust? Alu frame?

You sure its not steel?

My thoughts exactly! Ever thought you have been ripped off!!!

It is very light and he swears it is Ali

Edited by spdpug98 on Tuesday 10th October 11:56

[pdV6]

See if a magnet sticks to it...