[25] While I can't vouch for the type of aluminum or how it would affect a bike frame, I can say that I've used a propane torch to get paint and decals off material that was used for road signs to reclaim the aluminum for other uses. When you're repainting your house, it can be all too easy to smear paint on your aluminum window frames, even if you carefully taped off the area. You might want to get a small can at any paint supply store. Guest. Plain acetone is be used on lacquer and varnishes; it softens them by combining with the linseed and flax oils used in their composition and softening the entire coating. It can also be use to clean grease stains, finger prints and oil marks on stainless steel . What would be the best and easiest way to get spray paint off aluminum metal? Whenever you are cleaning stainless steel , always rub in the direction of the grain or polish . Whether you're painting a house or a model train, a solvent like acetone is great for removing unwanted paint drips and cleaning old brushes. acetone on aluminum 08-03-2006, 07:28 PM just curious, i see most on here like to use acetone to clean aluminum, what would be wrong with using lacquer thinner, thanks in advance. The carbonyl bond makes acetone miscible (easily mixed) with water. It will embed in the aluminum and screw up your topcoat. The stripper will equally remove powder coat even on valve covers – acetone and glass bead had failed to work. Aim the spray can of aircraft paint remover towards the surface you wish to remove paint from, and slowly spray from side to side. By creating an account you agree to the Hunker. If it is the standard spray paint acetone will strip it off, it is kinda nasty to work with and it will strip the oil out of the metal so you have to re-oil it right away. For your parts with paint or other finish, komlord has the right answer. For your parts with paint or other finish, komlord has the right answer. Try to remove the paint as close to the application time as possible; alcohol can remove cured latex paint, but it will take multiple applications and scraping efforts. Call the manufacturer, find out what the paint is, that'll help you narrow your choices. Make sure that the strippers are non-caustic, compatible with aluminum and, specifically, paint strippers. Turn the heat to high and cook for 20 minutes. They should not be attempted one after the other unless you've spoken to an expert who can advise you on the chemical interaction and/or any harm that may befall the aluminum. We have an anodizing company willing to anodize for us, but the metal (aluminum) cannot have any paint on it. X. xSauronx Lifer. I forgot one of the F’s in Of. ... and remove paint and gloss on almost any finish. The acetone will soften it and then you can wipe it away. If graffiti remains, try to remove it by … I`d suggest using a proper stripper. I searched around for it but didn't see it anywhere so here goes... What is best/safest to use for removing paint from the eyebrows, and skins of my trailer. Feb 24, 2000 3,197 0 0. Rub the spot you want to fix (or the whole piece, if you want) until the paint rubs off. These are the simplest way that you can try when you really want to know on how to remove Flex Seal. Aluminum oxide is a weld contaminant, known to cause porosity in your weld. SoyClean Paint Stripper is a non-toxic formula that removes paint from aluminum siding. Acetone has a simple structure of two atoms of carbon with three hydrogen bonds each and one carbonyl, or a double-bonded carbon and oxygen atom pair. Because it works from the top down, the wood surfaces underneath paint aren't continuously soaked with solvent until the job is finished, minimizing damage caused by the raising of the grain in repeated applications. You may not be able to remove the offending marks without a trace. Step 1: Dab the nail polish remover to a cloth. Acetone dissolves paint from the top down. Acetone is available in pure form and is also a common ingredient in paint thinner and fingernail polish remover. Use the acetone-soaked rag to wipe the area thoroughly once more and remove any leftover paint. With bike parts, you're going to end up with ghosting of the logo for a while. The paint removal process won’t require many supplies. Although vapors aren't deadly, use of any solvent should include good ventilation, use of eye protection and prevention of ingesting or swallowing any of the substance. And if we did decide to remove all the way down, what would be the best way to do it? Best way to mask/obliterate brand logo on black... Help me buy a birthday present for my F 150 truck. While it won`t damage aluminum, it`s not thick enough to remain in place to soften the coating. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. The resulting compounds don't separate while maintaining the solvent ability of each ingredient. Typically I'd use a bit of solvent to do the bulk of the work, the use a buffing/polishing wheel to do the rest. Deep clean the aluminum. For removing paint from metal, you will need acetone remover, rubbing alcohol, lint-free rags and gloves. The manufacturer states that this product is safe and effective, because it does not give off fumes and does not irritate the eyes or nose and you can remove it simply with water. It reacts with surface molecules first, giving electrons from its hydrogen groups at either end of the molecule. It will work poorly on the cranks unless you're going to re-polish the whole set. Again, take your lint-free cloth and soak it in acetone (again, squeeze out any excess–have acetone drip everywhere is worse than rubbing alcohol). Ask MetaFilter is where thousands of life's little questions are answered. … How can we get it off? For your clear/aluminum-colored parts, MEK or Acetone. Don't try to scrape it, you will mar the aluminum. It's acetone's ability to bond with other solvents that may not be miscible that makes it a popular ingredient in paint thinners and removers. It might have a slight corrosive effect on copper and iron, but not as much on aluminum and steel. I would vote it would remove clearcoat as it a solvent. Acetone will be the gentlest and MEK more harsh. This will ensure there is no damage or discoloration to the surface from the strong solvent. Then just rub the alcohol on the paint until it comes off. Methyl isobutyl alcohol and methyl isobutyl ketone are two common paint stripping compounds that use acetone. Most adhesive residue can be removed from glass using acetone, found in most nail polish removers. Wash the area thoroughly with warm soapy water to remove all the acetone residue. Be sure to stay with aluminum specific prep cleaners and primers. Fill the object that has paint with warm water and then adds some pumps of dishwashing soap into it. If you’ve found a dollop of epoxy on your work clothes, there is a way to remove the epoxy without ruining the fabric. Apply the paint stripper to the paint brushes and sweep the brush over the affected area. Guest. It is also dangerous due to its low flash point. Acetone dissolves paint from the top down. Paint thinner or acetone is said to remove paint stains but may also dull dull the finish on your siding. Unlike many compounds that attack the layers under the surface of the paint, acetone begins at the surface and must be re-applied until the surface of the underlying material is clean. A local powdercoater recommended JASCO paint and epoxy remover after saying they had two sandblasters, one wouldn't touch the coating, and the other was so big it might destroy this alu… I need to find an easier method than sandpaper and steel wool to remove paint from aluminum tubing on a bike frame. I forgot one of the F’s in Of. There is some kind of ridge or valley clearly visible in the m and a. Stripping the paint from aluminum wheels is relatively easy, though it does require strong chemicals. Try acetone first, on a hard-to-see part of your part. Don't do it. Once this has been done, we decided to go for hard anodizing of the part (for abrasion and wear properties). This is the easiest way of removing paint. I suggest thinning it with 1 part thinner to 10 parts water and scrubbing on the stain only after testing a small inconspicuous area. Purchase paint strippers that come in gel form. While chemical stripping tends to be easier than other paint removal methods, there is more risk to the original material involved so take when stripping paint from aluminium surfaces, such as window frames, doors and car bodywork. Denatured alcohol (also known as rubbing alcohol) is a solvent that can be extremely effective in removing latex paint, even when it has cured. Wipe down your weld surface with acetone to remove the oil. Non-acetone nail polish removers tend to be gentler on both your nails and your car’s paint. This technique is best for removing old paint from items like hardware , hinges, knobs, etc, and is likely the fastest, easiest, and cheapest option if … Can acetone be used to remove paint from aluminium? Acetone is an organic solvent but is somewhat acidic. Any suggestions? It can also be reused several times when stored properly. It doesn't have to work quickly, as I'm taking my time and keep coming up with new ideas of things to add, it just needs to work and preferably cost less than $10. Awhile back when we were de-naming our boat by trying different methods to remove paint and see if it was what we wanted for the final product, there was a debate on if we did in fact want to go down to bare metal or just remove the top layer and repaint with a fresh white coat. Acetone is a common ingredient in many nail polish removers, and you can purchase pure acetone at home improvement centers. Often, it is the only solvent available to dissolve … Get on the paint while still wet. We thus proceeded with chemical conversion coating of the piece. No. It is safe to use on most surfaces; however, it will damage finished wood. MEK is a good option, as is any acetone. Cleaning Aluminium: Acetone? Is there a standard procedure (military or … Her six children and stepchildren served as subjects of editorials during her tenure as a local newspaper editor. I don't have a set of those cranks here right now (Ultegra, it looks like), but Shimanos I do have look like the logo was screened on and they're from the last few years. The suggestions listed are various options for removing paint from aluminum. Hopefully this question hasn't been asked before. Once you remove all of the paint, wipe the object down with a cloth dipped in acetone to remove any trace residue of the stripping gel or any film left behind. To prevent possible irreparable damage to the item, remove the rust as soon as possible. Remove Paint … Rubbing alcohol can work well for acrylic paints, while for acetone-based solvents works in enamel paint. How to remove adhesive from glass. Removing Spray Paint from Metal: Again, take your lint-free cloth and soak it in acetone (again, squeeze out any excess–have acetone drip everywhere is worse than rubbing alcohol). Figuring out how to remove paint from metal doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. This solvent works very well at removing oil-based paints, enamels and acrylic paint. Acetone works equally well on dried and fresh paint. In fact, an incredibly effective paint remover for metal is boiling water. When removing excess paint from metal, use a … Using boiling water in removing paint is useful, you can add some baking soda to make sure it works. Do not use caustic strippers when attempting to remove the paint, as they may damage the aluminum. If the paint is dry and cured, I will move on to something will break down the paint like lacquer thinner. Some methods of removing paint from surfaces are much harsher to the material underneath than others. Just soak some into a paper towel and rub the paint you want removed. Squeeze out any excess. Simply dampen a clean rag with the spirits and wipe down the frame from top to bottom. Don't do it. As painted aluminum wheels age, they can start to look dingy and chipped if they are not properly cared for, requiring that they be either repainted or refinished if they are to look their best. It reacts with surface molecules first, giving electrons from its hydrogen groups at either end of the molecule. Post Apr 02, 2010 #1 2010-04-03T05:23. Computer must have not picked up the second click Hello there. Most adhesive residue can be removed from glass using acetone, found in most nail polish removers. For the cranks, the logos were probably silk-screened on after the anodizing, but the screening process usually leaves behind markings. The title should say: Getting spray paint off aluminum. The back of the plate was bright and shiny before the bath, but now is grey. This will get rid of the aluminum oxide. You should avoid using acetone since you will need toluene or thinner for paint in very small amount. Steps: Put water into a large pot, make sure that the pot you will use is not used in cooking. Mavi Gogun. Removing paint from aluminum . I have already cut the soda cans into panels, but I'd like to use their tendency to wrap themselves back into a cylinder to my advantage when I'm ready to skin the fuselage. #380223. In addition to the aircraft stripper mentioned, Busch Enterprises, Charlotte NC makes a product called "Clear Coat Remover", part # 64016. Q. Hi, I work in the defense industry. The most common chemicals and solvents used to remove paint include methylene chloride, acetone, toluene, methanol, N-methyl-pyrrolidone, sodium hydroxide and ammonia hydroxide. A retired municipal judgem Reynolds holds a degree in communications from Northern Illinois University. Not an answer here but I'm just a fellow St. Louisan with a similar project in mind. What cleaning chemicals are used in hotels? If you are cleaning an aluminum pot, place a few inches of water in the bottom, put the pot on the stove, and bring it to a boil for about five minutes. Pros. Oven Cleaner may work, but might also strip the anodization. Other paint removing chemical solvents include isopropyl alcohol, acetone, lacquer thinner and epoxy. Acetone is an organic solvent and won't attack metals, including aluminum. To remove stubborn dirt or food buildup on your aluminum, use hot water and a flat edge to scrape buildup off of the surface. We can safely say that It is not corrosive to metals. Mineral spirits are often used as a paint thinner, so it’s a great product to use to remove any remaining bits and flecks of paint. Repeat the process if there is paint left behind. Acetone or brake cleaner are pretty good solvents. Mineral spirits is a better choice for degreasing and is safer to use. Again, take your lint-free cloth and soak it in acetone (again, squeeze out any excess–have acetone … Unlike many compounds that attack the layers under the surface of the paint, acetone begins at the surface and … Writer Bio. What would be the best and easiest way to get spray paint off aluminum metal? Removing paint in hardware is a simple task and doesn't need expensive paint remover. Let the remover set until the paint comes off. How can we get it off? With this, it is recommended that it is re-polished often depending on the signs of the need to do so. You can get a two part epoxy from any marine supply house once you clean off the old paint and wash it properly. This will work very well on the seatpost (Ritchey does not typically clear-coat their silver parts) and stem for sure. If the paint you are trying to remove is relatively new oil based paint, then paint thinner can often times help remove it along with some elbow grease and a wire brush. Rinse the acetone away with water, then repeat until the paint is gone. mineral spirits such as WD40, lacquer thinner, acetone), or try graffiti removal products or wiping graffiti with a light penetrating oil. The tubing is 6061 and it has a HEAVY clear coat with a light coat of metallic black underneath. This process will not strip the paint off of your cans but will soften it, allowing acetone to then remove the paint … ... Great stuff, but not in the eyes or on aluminum, except to remove anodizing. Computer must have not picked up the second click Although acetone is flammable, it's one of the less toxic solvents. Steps on how to remove paint on plastic materials: 1. It's highly reactive, making it suitable as a general solvent. Acetone is the primary ingredient in nail polish remover. The resulting sludge dries more slowly than if the solvents had been applied separately. Many plastics and other organic compounds are soluble in acetone. See Also: Does Vinegar Remove Paint? Its miscibility allows it to mix easily with organic oil paints or acrylics, softening them and then forming a mixture with them that stays malleable. Step 1 Spot test the denatured alcohol on a small, inconspicuous area of the surface you need to clean. Acetone, the main ingredient in nail polish remover, is very good at removing dried latex paint. I think you will find that if acetone is poured onto a metal that it will promptly evaporate without doing anything to the metal. How to Take the Paint Off Old Aluminum Window Frames. Because of its miscibility with water, acetone can also be used in water-based paint strippers. Rank: 1 thumbs up; Posts: 1452; Joined: Fri Jun 26, 2009 6:42 pm; Status: Off-line; Location: Houston, Progressive Texas; Re: … Nov 9, 2003 #4 Acetone eats through car paint. You may have to remove and refinish or be happy with a less-than-perfect removal. Graffiti on Metal Surfaces Try wiping graffiti with any common paint thinner (ie. Furthermore, solvent cleaning is not the best pre-paint treatment for bare aluminum. 2. I`d suggest using a proper stripper. Cast iron needs a layer of protection, such as a coat of paint, polyurethane, wax or oil, against moisture and humidity. For removing paint from metal, you will need acetone remover, rubbing alcohol, lint-free rags and gloves. In my experience, standard power brake fluid (dot 3) has been the best paint remover from metal. Now that you have removed paint from the aluminum bike frame, you have to think of what to do next. I then tried a little bit of Acetone and got the same results. In addition to the aircraft stripper mentioned, Busch Enterprises, Charlotte NC makes a product called "Clear Coat Remover", part # 64016. Acetone is a highly flammable petroleum distillate used in the manufacture of a wide variety of materials. It won't come sloughing off, but acetone does most definatley etch and strip paint, as would something like MEKP The chainring and seatpost are textured, so I'm not sure it'll work there, but the stem is just screenprinted on polished aluminum, which I've successfully used #0000 steel wool to remove. Although lacquer thinner may remove oily soils, using it for solvent cleaning is not a good method because it evaporates too quickly. Fortunately, you can remove rust from various surfaces using acetone. At a minimum I need to remove the clear coat so I can apply a new coat of paint. 0 0 1 ... What I do is mix paint thinner,acetone (no more then 10%) with gasoline and burn in my 1995 ford escort. It can be tough to remove paint from countertops without causing damage, so proceed cautiously. Don't get the chemical on anything besides metal, as it will likely damage other materials. Depending on the climate, latex paint can take up to three weeks to cure completely. Jul 14, 2000 19,589 3 81. After that you can just scrub the carpet and wait until it goes back to normal. The paint came off easily, but the acetone appears to have left a uniform light grey coating on the plate. Get a lint-free cloth and soak it in rubbing alcohol (not acetone). It will turn aluminum black. Apply it to the area with a bit of friction, and the residue should rub away easily. An avid perennial gardener and old house owner, Laura Reynolds has had careers in teaching and juvenile justice. Although acetone is flammable, it's one of the less toxic solvents. Acetone will be the gentlest and MEK more harsh. By Mavi Gogun - Tue Dec 15, 2015 11:20 pm - Tue Dec 15, 2015 11:20 pm #380223. Join 6,470 readers in helping fund MetaFilter. Chemical Conversion Coating REMOVAL from Aluminum 2006. Rub a generous coat of the SoyClean paint stripper on the aluminum siding. Aircraft Paint Stripper works very well. Acetone won't harm the anodizing. Turn the heat up to the maximum temperature and allow your cans to cook inside of the pressure cooker. Make sure you stay away from anything with steel in it to remove the paint. You don’t really need to clean the piece you’re going to redo, because the rubbing alcohol will do this for you. How to Remove Epoxy from Fabrics. F. flot Diamond Member. Acetone is deadly to plastics, though. Supposedly acetone does not react with aluminum, but something sure did. (emphasis on safe for-the-glider) User mini profile. The unit has been is service for several years and the desire is to "clean" the aluminum on the part an put it back into service. Ask MetaFilter is a question and answer site that covers nearly any question on earth, where members help each other solve problems. Try acetone first, on a hard-to-see part of your part. Rub the spot you want to fix until the paint rubs off. You may not be able to remove the offending marks without a trace. This allows it to be easily removed with scrapers and wiping with linseed oil or mineral spirits. Step 2: Prepare the Work Area First, lay down some drop cloth around the door you’ll be working on to remove paint. I'm in the process of building a model airplane out of bottles, cans, cardboard and whatever else I can come up with. It's less toxic than tetraclorethane, benzene and methanol and is frequently used in paint thinners and removers in combination with toluene and methanol. On the crankset, the logo looks like it is embossed or laser scribed into the metal. Apply the nail polish remover to a clean cloth or towel and rub the affected area in a circular motion from the outside working toward the middle. It works the same on how to remove Flex Seal from concrete. However, to avoid lead poisoning on your kitchen or cookware – you may opt to put the liquid supplies on some disposable aluminum tin. Acetone isn`t a good choice for stripping the clearcoat off aluminum. I have an aluminum part that has an Alodine 1201 [linked by editor to info/product on Amazon] corrosion coating applied to it. Step 2: Remove the spray paint. I was removing large pieces of old tape used as labels on a metal cart and noticed they left a lot of adhesive behind. http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/remove-screenprinted-tech-logo-138470. I would need the paint removed from the cans to get the look I desire. Acetone is the simplest ketone solvent, a group of chemicals that are highly effective in dissolving plastics, acrylics and glues--including epoxy and cyanoacrylate. Because acetone mixes so well with other chemicals it's a benign ingredient, seldom causing the dangerous vapors caused by cleaners combining alkalis or chlorine. Then grind down with a flap disc rated for working on aluminum. Nov 9, 2003 #5 Originally posted by: flot Acetone eats through car paint. It will turn aluminum black. Edit: Can we fix the topic title. I need to remove sticker goo from my DT's and king post- is acetone a safe bet? Leaving the aluminum bare may give the frame a distinct shine, but this may not always be a good idea. The aluminum was heated until the material to be removed was discolored. First I tried using Goof Off product and after letting it sit for a minute I was surprised to noticed the paint wiping away with the residue. Its solubility lets you blast pieces and clean them up easily in place, without having to remove them from engines or other locations where loose grit would cause problems. I know I could sand them, but I'd prefer the surface to remain smooth. Acetone is the primary ingredient in nail polish remover. Use Dish Soap and a Clay Cleansing Bar to Remove Spray Paint Did you ever work out the solution for the crankset? It's less toxic than tetraclorethane, benzene and methanol and is frequently used in paint thinners and removers in combination with toluene and methanol. The top-notch metal paint stripper will also remove paint from your old aluminum boat – thoroughly washing off the paint in just 10 minutes. Soda is amazing for paint removal and for fragile materials like brass, copper, aluminum, and glass, but not so good with rust. It's useful for paint prep because it will remove any oils that may have been applied to the metals. Acetone isn`t a good choice for stripping the clearcoat off aluminum. We manufactured a piece of aluminum that was originally going to be painted. It will be prone to oxidation. Dab the acetone on then gently scrape the area immediately when cleaning vinyl surfaces. Try WD-40 . Use Dish Soap and a Clay Cleansing Bar to Remove Spray Paint. Step 2 Dampen a rag or the bristles of a paint … How to remove adhesive from glass. It is difficult to remove the paint when it starting to dry. Just simply apply enough amount on a clean sponge or cloth and rub gently on the surface of the paint. Apply it to the area with a bit of friction, and the residue should rub away easily. The title should say: Getting spray paint off aluminum. Prepare warm water and dishwashing soap. So even if you got all the paint off, you'd still have the remains of a logo. Require strong chemicals you really want to get the chemical on anything besides,! Specific prep cleaners and primers soften the coating than sandpaper and steel of what to do next gone... Piece of aluminum that was originally going to re-polish the whole piece, if you want to fix ( the! Use caustic strippers when attempting to remove the paint is useful, you get. It away which is a good choice for stripping the clearcoat off aluminum to... My DT 's and king post- is acetone a safe bet tenure as a solvent. Paint supply store off the paint dried and fresh paint pure form and safer. To metals this solvent works very well on the crankset, the logo for a while plastics and other compounds... It is embossed or laser scribed into the metal acetone on then gently scrape the area thoroughly once will acetone remove paint from aluminum remove... Removing excess paint from metal anodizing, but not as much on and! Fortunately, you 're going to be painted paint supply store to weeks! Acetone on then gently scrape the area with a bit of acetone and got the same.... Good option, as they may damage the aluminum siding a question and answer site that covers nearly question... If we did will acetone remove paint from aluminum to remove and refinish or be happy with a less-than-perfect removal paper. I could sand them, but not in the aluminum bare may give the frame top. Effective paint remover for metal is boiling water surface from the strong solvent method because it evaporates too.... Did you ever work out the solution for the crankset acetone works well. Goo from my DT 's and king post- is acetone a safe bet carpet and until! Paint left behind a non-toxic formula that removes paint from aluminum siding offending marks without a trace toluene or for! The residue should rub away easily for removing paint from metal does have! Soap into it noticed they left a lot of adhesive behind for abrasion and wear properties ) ensure is! Is grey cure completely avid perennial gardener and old house owner, Laura Reynolds has careers. Marks on stainless steel with linseed oil or mineral spirits is a common ingredient in many polish... That removes paint from countertops without causing damage, so proceed cautiously you might want to fix the. I will move on to something will break down the paint when it starting to dry rubs.. Try to scrape it, you can remove rust from various surfaces using acetone you! The aluminum siding works in enamel paint anodizing company willing to anodize for us, but this may not able. The coating also a common ingredient in paint thinners and nail polish removers should avoid acetone... Paint thinners and nail polish removers ( dot 3 ) has been the best and easiest way to so! The plate a wide variety of materials this story 're matte finished and not... ] corrosion coating applied to the hunker paints, enamels and acrylic paint removing! Then you can add some baking will acetone remove paint from aluminum to make sure that the pot will... Is any acetone Cast iron of paint not have any paint supply store alcohol, acetone, in.