Frankenorange
Orange 🍊 Fan
That stem!!!
Well done sir.
Well done sir.
1994 Serotta Colorado ATi - and a Lot of DIY Anodizing
- Thread starter MuchAlohaNui
- Start date
MuchAlohaNui
Senior Retro Guru
After searching high and low for a chemical that would attack the anodizing(?) on these Paul Thumbies, I threw in the towel and went mechanical removal. The closest I got was a sulfuric acid solution at about 10% which ate the steel roll pins holding the two halves of the Thumbies together and 'kind of' attacked the surface of the black anodization.
Come to think if it, I think the black treatment from Paul is more like a thick powder coating. I tried at least 6 different chemicals IIRC. The sulfuric acid reduced the luster of the black powder coating and that was about it. A dremel and wire wheels, 120 grit, 320 grit then scouring pad. Definitely not the best, most beautiful finish. However, the porous finish I put on here (inadvertently) will likely work in my favor when I go to etch then anodize. I left the aluminum alone after the wire wheel on both the surfaces which mount to the bars and where mounting to the shifters.
To recap, with the right chemical, this process is about a half hour and the aluminum is left just like Paul milled it before anodizing. Removing mechanically and sanding takes about three hours and the surfaces are left sub-factory standard. Shart happens! I would also postulate that Paul parts that are not clean enough for anodizing are powder coated black, because the powder coating layer is quite thick and these had particular thumbies had a few blemishes I discovered.
A little before and after and I'll fill in the logos with paint before anodizing:
120 grit, 320 grit then scouring pad:
Come to think if it, I think the black treatment from Paul is more like a thick powder coating. I tried at least 6 different chemicals IIRC. The sulfuric acid reduced the luster of the black powder coating and that was about it. A dremel and wire wheels, 120 grit, 320 grit then scouring pad. Definitely not the best, most beautiful finish. However, the porous finish I put on here (inadvertently) will likely work in my favor when I go to etch then anodize. I left the aluminum alone after the wire wheel on both the surfaces which mount to the bars and where mounting to the shifters.
To recap, with the right chemical, this process is about a half hour and the aluminum is left just like Paul milled it before anodizing. Removing mechanically and sanding takes about three hours and the surfaces are left sub-factory standard. Shart happens! I would also postulate that Paul parts that are not clean enough for anodizing are powder coated black, because the powder coating layer is quite thick and these had particular thumbies had a few blemishes I discovered.
A little before and after and I'll fill in the logos with paint before anodizing:
120 grit, 320 grit then scouring pad:
br0qn
Retro Guru
damn, looks like all of that effort has paid off for you, rad. I know you're stoked on the stem, but I love the chainrings!
Yikes! 27.2, on the shorter side, for a road bike ;D If you come across one for less than 1 euro per mm let me know =]Seatpost: size and budget? 200 euros? I got lucky and paid about 120 euros for mine. I believe standard length is 350 mm so anything shorter than that has been cut or a special order. Last I talked to Schmolke in person, he charges 1 to 1.50 euro per mm depending on standard tubing or TLO tubing
Frankenorange
Orange 🍊 Fan
Pair of IRC Geo Claw in the for sale section
MuchAlohaNui
Senior Retro Guru
Small update with anodizing.
I am currently visiting family in the USA. Since I have been on a wild goose chase these last few months in Germany looking for a proper chemical, I brought my Paul Thumbies with me in my luggage to experiment over here. Went to ACE hardware and bought a few bottles of Whink Rust Remover which has about 2% hydroflouric acid solution.
Dropped the thumbies in the solution and about two minutes later all remaining anodization was eaten off. A complete success at only $6. Plus the solution is reusable.
At the very least, these parts are ready for color anodization when I get back to Europe in a few weeks along with some other small goodies I will bring with.
Before:
After:
I am currently visiting family in the USA. Since I have been on a wild goose chase these last few months in Germany looking for a proper chemical, I brought my Paul Thumbies with me in my luggage to experiment over here. Went to ACE hardware and bought a few bottles of Whink Rust Remover which has about 2% hydroflouric acid solution.
Dropped the thumbies in the solution and about two minutes later all remaining anodization was eaten off. A complete success at only $6. Plus the solution is reusable.
At the very least, these parts are ready for color anodization when I get back to Europe in a few weeks along with some other small goodies I will bring with.
Before:
After:
27motorhead
Old School Grand Master
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Great work!
Any chance you can bring any of the stuff back with you? I would 100% be trying to work out a way, but guess you could land yourself in big trouble?! And no doubt my comment will trigger off some people on here!
MuchAlohaNui
Senior Retro Guru
A bit hard to tell in the photos, but the rust remover completely removed all the remaining black anodization and whatever oils were on the surface.
Thanks man! Maybe green, maybe turquoise, maybe purple.
Thank you! Regarding transport: We’ll see what happens in a few weeks!Great work!
Any chance you can bring any of the stuff back with you? I would 100% be trying to work out a way, but guess you could land yourself in big trouble?! And no doubt my comment will trigger off some people on here!
7Speed
Retro Guru
Hydrofluric acid? Isn’t that the stuff they dissolve the bodies with in Breaking Bad?Great work!
Any chance you can bring any of the stuff back with you? I would 100% be trying to work out a way, but guess you could land yourself in big trouble?! And no doubt my comment will trigger off some people on here!
Prodigal Son
Senior Retro Guru
Don´t buy too much or you may have to explain to cops.Hydrofluric acid? Isn’t that the stuff they dissolve the bodies with in Breaking Bad?
