removing paint from carbon fiber

Hey chainlink folks!

I have recetly acquired a second hand Aerospoke wheels. Previous owner decided to paint them black using a bad combination of spray paint and lack of skills, he managed to mess them up pretty bad. I mean they are ugly!

I need to strip that paint off of them. Anyone out there has experience with that kind of work? I am looking for tips on how to safely remove that paint without damaging carbon fiber.

Thanks a lot!

konrad

Tags: carbon, fiber, paint, removal

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Permalink Reply by Casey Carnes on July 23, 2012 at 3:43pm

I've heard good reviews of this, but personally it makes me a bit nervous. Then again it is good enough for Calfee. Otherwise, a lot of 400, 800, then 1200 grit wet sandpaper.

http://www.carbolift.com/

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Permalink Reply by Duane Waller on July 23, 2012 at 3:47pm

Casey is dead on. Carbolift does work, but if left on too long, will eat away at the resins of carbon fiber. Not a ton, mind you, but enough to cause imperfections in the finish. I'd do what Casey said, get yourself some 400 Wet-or-dry and start with that, using water as you sand. Then go up to 800, then 1200. It's a drag, especially if the wheels are built up.

Also, you *could* try some lacquer thinner on a rag. Most spray paints are low-quality, and will wash off fairly easily when you use a solvent-based thinner.

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Permalink Reply by konrad sobon on July 23, 2012 at 3:52pm

I THINK I WILL GO WITH THE SANDPAPER. I EMAIL AEROSPOKE REP PERSON AND HIS REPLY WAS TO GO WITH SANDPAPER AND JUST TAKE IT EASY. I WILL TRY LACQUER THINNER ON RUG JUST TO SEE IF I CAN WASH OFF SOME OF THE TOP COATS AND THEN I WILL JUST SAND IT OFF.

THANKS A LOT. FOR ALL THE GOOD TIPS.

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Permalink Reply by Michael A on July 23, 2012 at 5:06pm

do not use thinner, it will eat into the resin and ruin your wheels. Aerospokes are carbon composite, not carbon fiber HUGE DIFFERENCE

Your best bet would be to sand em until they are smooth enough to paint over them

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Permalink Reply by konrad sobon on July 23, 2012 at 5:31pm

thanks for advise mike. theoretically carbon fiber is a composite of carbon fibers and resin, but that's not the point here. I appreciate your comment and thank you for it. I will not use paint thinner. I will go at it with water and sand paper. That seems to be the general consensus whenever I have asked this question.

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Permalink Reply by Michael A on July 23, 2012 at 5:37pm

I was trying to say that even after you remove all the paint, the wheel will look be a marbled plastic color, there is no carbon fiber weave to expose. So stripping it down to bare will remove the paint, but what are your plans to finish it?

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Permalink Reply by konrad sobon on July 23, 2012 at 6:00pm

Yes. I understand that. I wanted to repaint it with black matte finish....they are black, but whoever spray painted them did the worst job I have ever seen. I want to clean them and then paint them again.

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Permalink Reply by Duane Waller on July 23, 2012 at 6:27pm

Really? That sorta bites, because that would limit the type of paint you could use on them, no?
Michael A said:

do not use thinner, it will eat into the resin and ruin your wheels. Aerospokes are carbon composite, not carbon fiber HUGE DIFFERENCE

Your best bet would be to sand em until they are smooth enough to paint over them

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Permalink Reply by Michael A on July 23, 2012 at 9:39pm

great, all you have to do then is give the surface a good sanding to smooth out any of the old paint job's evils, that will also give it a "key" where the new paint will bond best. I would give it a coat of primer first before the final paint... good luck and post some pics...maybe a before and after