Paint Stripping Options

[The Red Scourge]

I've always used Rustoleum Aircraft Remover.  While highly caustic, it's worked great.  My last jug of it has lost it's effectiveness.  I can't find it sold anywhere.  Only non-methylene chloride strippers.  The Kleen Strip one won't even touch the RD's frame paint.  I just found out that last year the EPA (here in the US) banned methylene chloride.  What do I do now?  Are there other strippers that I can buy locally?  Am I stuck ordering online, something like MEK?  Thanks in advance!

[Tuck]

I just bought some rustoleum aircraft remover about 6 months ago at walmart when I refinished my other set of F1's. Your right it works fantastic!. I guess you could try Jasco paint remover from Lowes or Home depot, although I've never used it.

[m in sc]

just send it off to a sandblaster? its easier and takes less time. 

[rodneya]

I've always used Rustoleum Aircraft Remover.  While highly caustic, it's worked great.  My last jug of it has lost it's effectiveness.  I can't find it sold anywhere.  Only non-methylene chloride strippers.  The Kleen Strip one won't even touch the RD's frame paint.  I just found out that last year the EPA (here in the US) banned methylene chloride.  What do I do now?  Are there other strippers that I can buy locally?  Am I stuck ordering online, something like MEK?  Thanks in advance!

I don't think MEK will strip paint very well, although it will clean the carbon out of your pipes. It is really really bad for you, so I would recommend staying away from it.

[The Red Scourge]

just send it off to a sandblaster? its easier and takes less time. 

You're probably right.  I just like doing things myself when I can.

[AAAltered]

I work at a paint store and we had to pull all MEK from the shelves months ago....we have new strippers but I don't have any feedback on them.

[27 Cycles]

I got tired of the terrible new paint strippers available as well.  I buy the big soft wire wheels for a 6" electric hand grinder, the wire wheels that are sort of cone shaped.  I have done 3 frames and 2 sets of engine covers with them.  It works absolutely  amazing, really doesn't take that long and really does get in all the nooks and crannies. If you want to DIY, try it!!

[Czakky]

Does it scratch aluminum easily?

[27 Cycles]

It depends on the look you're going for.  It does leave a "swirl" but it can be smoothed with light sanding and or scotchbrite.  It doesn't scratch into the material. I will post pics later when I can.  I actually like to scuff them with light sandpaper afterwards and it gives it a very cool industrial look on the aluminum.

[27 Cycles]

Here's my side covers.  I had not yet scuffed them and wiped down with wd40.

[zedixe13]

I use MEK to wipe out the varnish on the fork lowers and it's very effective .

[Czakky]

I used scotch brite pads and a Dremel on my side covers.... I will have to give that a try.

[The Red Scourge]

I got tired of the terrible new paint strippers available as well.  I buy the big soft wire wheels for a 6" electric hand grinder, the wire wheels that are sort of cone shaped.  I have done 3 frames and 2 sets of engine covers with them.  It works absolutely  amazing, really doesn't take that long and really does get in all the nooks and crannies. If you want to DIY, try it!!

Okay, I'll have to try that.  The methylene chloride thing was a complete surprise.  From what I read a bunch of different idiots weren't using any PPE and breathed in a ton of the stuff.  "Oh, extremely caustic chemicals are dangerous?  Ya don't say!"