2008 Marin original paint retrieval, advice wanted

[grantoury]

Hello retrobikers. I have recently bought a 2008 Marin frame that has had a rattlecan respray in matte black. I have been able to take the majority of that black paint off with a wet sand, and retrieved the original paint and decals for the most part. The welds and the braze ons are proving very difficult to remove paint from. Have any of you got a suggestion on how to go about doing this? I would love to hear it.

Frame as it came to me:



And some of the problematic areas:

 

[Fourbikes]

Thinners would remove it (might remove the original paint as well).

 

[grantoury]

Thinners would remove it (might remove the original paint as well).

I have some thinner and will be trying it, but do worry it will go through the original.

 

[winjohn]

Thinners will not generally remove dry paint.

 

[Twozaskars]

I actually think that looks pretty cool as it is.

 

[Suprachrgd82]

I assume you are attempting to strip to bare metal. Lacquer thinner may work. It definitely will remove rattle can paint.

The most effective means is a methylene chloride based paint stripper/aircraft stripper (you may be able to find some on a back shelf in a mom-n-pop paint store) or a MeCl based automotive gasket remover.

Unfortunately, MeCl as with most chlorinated hydrocarbons, is being banned. The replacement is Limonene which takes days rather than minutes to penetrate paints.

Occasionally you can find aerosol lubricants and cleaners at electronic supply stores that contain tetrachloroethylene which is an excellent stripper.

From what I have found, prepping steel for paint is a multistage process, all very easy; strip (MeCl) > degrease (detergent or automotive hand cleaner) > condition (phosphoric acid, aka bathroom calcium remover) > degrease (lacquer thinner) > etching primer > sandable primer > paint > clear coat.

All of the above applies to chemical means. Mechanically, a stiff wire wheel on a drill and countless hours will yield the same result.

 

[grantoury]

I assume you are attempting to strip to bare metal.

Actually I am trying to save what I can from the original paint. I started out with the intention to retrieve the decals so I could have them remade. But so much of the original paint appeared from the wet sand that I want to try to save it. I may do a repaint at a later stage, though.

 

[grantoury]

I just tried some small spots under the bracket with thinner and learned two things; I need proper work gloves and to work outside. But the thinner does remove the black paint, with the help of an abrasive sponge.

 

[Suprachrgd82]

Actually I am trying to save what I can from the original paint. I started out with the intention to retrieve the decals so I could have them remade. But so much of the original paint appeared from the wet sand that I want to try to save it. I may do a repaint at a later stage, though.

Ah, I see. Give 'er a light rub with lacquer thinner (use acetone if thinner is not available) on paper towels. Test first under a chainstay to assure it won't damage the original paint. Wear Nitrile gloves if you got 'em or be prepared to raid the Missus' hand moisturizer.