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How to strip and re-paint a carbon-fiber
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dindu
Apr 30, 12 19:09
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How to strip and re-paint a carbon-fiber
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cervelo frame? can you please post some pics of your end result?
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by dindu on Apr 30, 12 19:18)
Philosoraptor
Apr 30, 12 19:11
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Re: How to strip and re-paint [dindu]
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The material that the frame is made out of will be a big factor. You might want to provide that info.
thekid_duxc
Apr 30, 12 19:19
Post #3 of 37
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Re: How to strip and re-paint [Philosoraptor]
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I'm looking at doing the same for a 2011 Dogma. Any suggestions on where to start? My search has come up short so far.
knewbike
May 1, 12 3:52
Post #4 of 37
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Re: How to strip and re-paint a carbon-fiber [dindu]
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Unless your existing paint is failing I would not strip it. Sand with 600 grit wet paper and scuff pads and go from there.
jacobus
May 1, 12 4:47
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Re: How to strip and re-paint a carbon-fiber [dindu]
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From my research, paint stripper for fiberglass
Haven't done it, but thinking bout it
Let me know how it goes
Travis R
May 1, 12 5:28
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Re: How to strip and re-paint a carbon-fiber [dindu]
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There is a product out there called Carbolift, that is supposed to be perfect for this purpose - a stripper made for carbon fiber. I have tried contacting the company a couple of times to buy some, but they have not returned my e-mails or phone calls, so I'm not sure if they even exist anymore. TriRig.com did a review of it, and it seemed pretty effective.
I did find a couple of places that sell it:
http://store.trainingfx.com/Carbo-Lift-500ml
(the prices are Canadian Dollars, by default)
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/...g/cspages/carbol.php
As a disclaimer, I can't say that I have any experience with it, so I have no idea how much you need for a frame, if these guys actually have it in stock, how well it works, etc. If you do get some, I'd love to hear how it all worked out for you.
_______________________________________
"Don't believe everything you read on the Internet." - Socrates
Marcel_B
May 1, 12 5:38
Post #7 of 37
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Re: How to strip and re-paint a carbon-fiber [dindu]
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I've been a automotive painter for over 25 years. Do NOT strip the original finish off a carbon frame!!! This will destroy your frame especially if you use a chemical stripper.
Best way to refinish a carbon frame is to lightly sand the original finish and that's it. If you've never done this before leave it to a professional, you will be saving yourself time and money.
Carbonetics
May 1, 12 5:44
Post #8 of 37
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Re: How to strip and re-paint a carbon-fiber [jacobus]
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jacobus wrote:
From my research, paint stripper for fiberglass
Haven't done it, but thinking bout it
Let me know how it goes
I have worked in the composite industry for 10 years. Please don't use paint stripper or any other type of chemical to remove the paint, it will attack the resin system and basically destroy your frame. Best is to use fine sandpaper.
thekid_duxc
May 1, 12 6:31
Post #9 of 37
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Re: How to strip and re-paint a carbon-fiber [Marcel_B]
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This is definitely not a DIY project. Any recommendations on professionals to turn to for painting a carbon frame?
Marcel_B
May 1, 12 6:44
Post #10 of 37
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Re: How to strip and re-paint a carbon-fiber [thekid_duxc]
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Not a DIY project. Your likely to do more damage than anything else and will cost you a lot more in the long run to repair your mistakes.
Painting a carbon bike frame is no different than spraying a automotive part so find yourself a body shop that will sand and spray it for you.
knewbike
May 1, 12 6:55
Post #11 of 37
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Re: How to strip and re-paint a carbon-fiber [Marcel_B]
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Marcel_B wrote:
Not a DIY project. Your likely to do more damage than anything else and will cost you a lot more in the long run to repair your mistakes.
Painting a carbon bike frame is no different than spraying a automotive part so find yourself a body shop that will sand and spray it for you.
Thank you Marcel. I am also an automotive painter. It's hard to talk people into and out of what they should and should not do.
Mr. Blonde
May 1, 12 8:22
Post #12 of 37
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Re: How to strip and re-paint a carbon-fiber [Travis R]
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That Carbolift sounds a bit sketchy, product description:
"Use to safely remove finishes from fragile work pieces and hard to reach areas. Carbo-Lift is:
An opaque gel, tenacious, does not off gas,
can survive being shot (don't ask
),
actions can be halted immediately by use of water - just like a good employee
Sensitive to temperature and prefers warm weather 24 degrees C + (although it will work down to 2 degrees C, if you have all the time in the world!).
Manufactured from the tears of our chemists
in a special process which asks clear coat, paint and primer alike to sod off - in a gentle Canadian way which does not negatively effect the underlying substrate.
What it Does and Doesn't Do
Does not cook you breakfast
, does allow you to go and enjoy breakfast while it works for you.
Don't eat, although so non-toxic it can be safely wiped off with your hands, who knows where your product and its paint has been!
Do keep it warm while it works, (remember Oompa Loompa's like the heat) optimum temperature is 24 degrees C to 35 degrees C.
Do wash Carbo-Lift off with water when you are happy with the amount of finish removed.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"I can eat 21 plus a deep-fried turkey!"
thekid_duxc
May 1, 12 8:35
Post #13 of 37
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Re: How to strip and re-paint a carbon-fiber [knewbike]
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As an automotive painter, do you paint many carbon bike frames?
Travis R
May 1, 12 8:39
Post #14 of 37
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Re: How to strip and re-paint a carbon-fiber [Mr. Blonde]
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Yeah, the attempt at humor doesn't really do much to make you feel good about the product, does it?
To the OP - you're getting a lot better advice from other folks with real experience, so please disregard my post. I apologize for offering some bad (or at least questionable) advice.
_______________________________________
"Don't believe everything you read on the Internet." - Socrates
kanebikes
May 1, 12 9:22
Post #15 of 37
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Re: How to strip and re-paint a carbon-fiber [dindu]
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Do not use any sort of chemical or paint thinner. It will destroy your frame. To remove paint and decals from a carbon frame, you have to hand sand the entire frame. We wet sand. It certainly takes some time.
We reached out to Carbo-lift given the nature of our business about their product, but never heard anything back.
---------------------------------------------------
Custom Painted Ridley Noah Pro:
http://kanebikes.com/...bum=5&gallery=89
http://www.kanebikes.com/
|| Road & Triathlon Bicycles. Custom Painting. Carbon Repair. Restoration. HQ'd in North Carolina
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endorphin
May 1, 12 11:10
Post #16 of 37
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Re: How to strip and re-paint a carbon-fiber [dindu]
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Check out the weightweenies forum. There's lots of threads documenting people's frame stripping projects using various methods (sanding, Carbolift, razor blades). From what I've seen, it's a TON of work. Maybe it would be a better project for the off-season.
Also, stripping the frame can reveal all kinds of imperfections (bump, dips, pinholes, irregularities in the CF weave) that are hidden under paint or filler. This would not a big deal if you plan on repainting the whole frame a solid colour.
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samsonite
May 1, 12 11:47
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Re: How to strip and re-paint a carbon-fiber [kanebikes]
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I did a DIY project on my Specialized transition this winter. I ordered Carbolift and found out it does not work all that well even when following the instructions to a 'T'. I ended up using 600grit sandpaper and was overly cautious taking it down to the bare carbon. Took a while with the sandpaper, but didn't have any issues. Once i got it to the carbon i lightly sanded with 1200 smooth it out. I was very happy with the results even though I found out I am not the best at taping! I posted some pictures of it in the specialized thread.
StephanM
May 1, 12 12:10
Post #18 of 37
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Re: How to strip and re-paint a carbon-fiber [samsonite]
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hottubes.com is your solution.
Formely stef32
Marcel_B
May 1, 12 13:54
Post #19 of 37
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Re: How to strip and re-paint a carbon-fiber [knewbike]
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knewbike wrote:
Marcel_B wrote:
Not a DIY project. Your likely to do more damage than anything else and will cost you a lot more in the long run to repair your mistakes.
Painting a carbon bike frame is no different than spraying a automotive part so find yourself a body shop that will sand and spray it for you.
Thank you Marcel. I am also an automotive painter. It's hard to talk people into and out of what they should and should not do.
Yes Kevin, some folks just don't get it! The other thing is that prepping & painting frames is not a money maker for us.
The other thing is that every time I gave a quote for labour and material I always got a puzzled look and "Why so expensive?". So for that reason I don't even bother giving quotes anymore, just not worth the hassle.
nickag
May 1, 12 17:43
Post #20 of 37
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Re: How to strip and re-paint a carbon-fiber [Marcel_B]
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I disagree that this is not a DIY project - I did it myself with no prior spray painting experience:
http://forum.slowtwitch.com/...nickag%20p2;#3488048
Paint job is still going strong.
I posted the process in this post:
http://forum.slowtwitch.com/...nickag%20p2;#3465120
Basically, did not chemically remove the original paint, I sanded/scuffed the clearcoat to give the new paint something to adhere to.
Marcel_B
May 1, 12 17:54
Post #21 of 37
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Re: How to strip and re-paint a carbon-fiber [nickag]
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Um, OK. Seam's like your a pro now!!! Good for you.
tridork
May 1, 12 18:33
Post #22 of 37
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Re: How to strip and re-paint a carbon-fiber [Marcel_B]
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Not to be a dick or anything, but remember that the pro you take your carbon frame to, was an amateur once, and there was the first time he (or she) worked on removing paint from carbon.
TriDork
"Happiness is a myth. All you can hope for is to get laid once in a while, drunk once in a while and to eat chocolate every day"
nickag
May 1, 12 18:55
Post #23 of 37
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Re: How to strip and re-paint a carbon-fiber [Marcel_B]
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Marcel_B wrote:
Um, OK. Seam's like your a pro now!!! Good for you.
I'm not claiming to be a pro. I am however highlighting that there is no voodoo magic in scuffing the original paint to prep it for painting. You said yourself that you won't do it because it's a pain in the ass. I agree with you on that, prepping a carbon frame for painting is a labourious manual process, that should not be undertaken by chemical means.
I am pointing out that carbon can be painted, it will not simply fall apart by scuffing the clear coat.
trail
May 1, 12 19:08
Post #24 of 37
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Re: How to strip and re-paint a carbon-fiber [nickag]
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> I am however highlighting that there is no voodoo magic in scuffing the original paint to prep it for painting.
There really isn't in taping or spraying either. A pro can do it 10x faster and with a lower likelihood of mistakes, but in this age where everything is done for us, you can take pride in being a solid amateur craftsman. I brew my own beer even though I know I can buy craft beers just as good from a store.
nickag
May 1, 12 19:11
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Re: How to strip and re-paint a carbon-fiber [trail]
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trail wrote:
> I am however highlighting that there is no voodoo magic in scuffing the original paint to prep it for painting.
There really isn't in taping or spraying either. A pro can do it 10x faster and with a lower likelihood of mistakes, but in this age where everything is done for us, you can take pride in being a solid amateur craftsman. I brew my own beer even though I know I can buy craft beers just as good from a store.
Agree with you on that, I take pride in tackling some of these projects for myself.
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The New Specialized Wind Tunnel
Will this be a game changer for Specialized, in both sales and product design, or will it not move the sales and design needle versus those in Specialized's competitive set?
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