Powder coating is an easy and most common method to keep the surface of the metal protected and safe. The coating is sprayed on the hot metal surface that sets itself and creates a bond. However, with time the coating starts to wither and leaves the surface, making certain areas vulnerable to elemental damage. Applying a new layer after the powder coating stripping method is imperative.
This short guide will give you the steps to remove the coating and reapply a new layer. Besides these, we will also give you tips about using solvent chemicals or other methods of removal effectively.
Steps of Coating Removal
Step 1
You need to set up a work area outside or in your garage so that you can hang the aluminum object and easily access it all around. Ensure there are plenty of ventilation openings for airflow but don’t let them close completely while working on this project. Hang the aluminum object up so that you can easily access it all around.
Step 2
If you want to protect some of the powder coat on your bike, use paper bags and tape them down. Ensure that all ledges are covered with a masking agent for best results.
Step 3
The easiest way of powder coating stripping from aluminum objects is with a strong gasket remover, solvent chemicals, or removing powder coat with a heat gun. Simply spray on all sides of your desired section, let it sit for 15-20 minutes (you’ll notice bubbles and peeling), then peel away.
Step 4
Wipe over the aluminum surface with a dry rag to remove any leftover powder coating. If you notice spots that are still covered in this sleek but pesky material, give them one spritz from your gasket remover before sitting down for another hour or so.
Wear protective gear when handling gasket remover or using solvent chemicals as they may prove quite poisonous. You can get the best chemical removers at Solvent Replacement’s online chemical store.
Tips to Use Removal Methods Effectively
Sandblasting Removal
You’ll want to use an aggressive blast media like aluminum oxide or steel grit if you plan on sandblasting to remove powder coating. These media will help reduce how long it takes for us to do so and make sure that your compressor is large enough because compressed air plays a critical role when working with these types of equipment.
Chemical Strippers
To get rid of powder coating with a solvent chemical or other powder coating removal chemical stripper, you should liberally brush it on. You will also typically need some way to scrub off any leftover residue that may be left behind-a proper respirator, and prior knowledge about how different chemicals work is necessary before using them for this purpose.
Heat Ovens
The key to an efficient batch burn-off oven is ensuring that it has enough temperature, often around 1600 degrees.
Final Point
The process of removing powder coating can be very long and expensive. There are many different methods that you could use, but one option is sandblasting because it’s cost-effective and efficient for small jobs where not too much material needs removal at once. The chemical stripper will likely give better results for bigger projects since they’re best used on infrequent occasions when there’ll only be an occasional need to remove your part from its original state before sale or consumption.