Stripping in Tokyo

[Davad]

Hello

I would like to hear from anyone who has experience stripping anodized aluminum parts here in Tokyo. From the net it seems to be a pretty straightforward process involving caustic soda mixtures, or more simply a can of Easy Off oven cleaner. Unfortunately after an afternoon spent in two home centers and an Autobacs, I came up completely empty handed. The autobacs guys refused to believe in the concept of anodizing and insisted the part I was showing them was painted... The home center guy suggested drain cleaner, and this corresponded to an internet posting I read recommending Drano, but that poster also commented on how it pitted the aluminum and how EasyOff was the best route. Sorry these may be N.American brand names, but you get the point.
Has any body stripped ano here in Japan? What did you use? Or, does anyone know of a shop that does custom anodizing? They would also be able to strip the ano...
Many thanks,
d

 

[FarEast]

Give this stuff a try. It removes stains from sinks and drainage catchers and I've used it on some aluminium and steel parts to get to a high polish (also great for removing rust!)

The one problem you will find though with removing the anodized coating is that you also remove a layer of protection that prevents it from corroding.

 

[onm]

You will NEVER get a straight answer in any bike shop in Japan.

If you want to get answers, seriously, you need to get on the www.bikeguide.org forums and ask the user by the name of G.

He is the owner and head designer of G-Sport, which is now a subsidiary of Odyssey.

He will help you with anything you need to know.

I know it looks like a BMX site, but this is where the knowledge is.

Not spamming, this guy is a very good friend of mine, and will answer you soon. Much more active forum than this (no offence to this place!)

 

[GSAstuto]

Stripping aluminum anodizing may be done with caustic soda (lye) solutions like drano - however - it has high probability to cause pitting of the aluminum. If you use a fairly weak solution and take more time you reduce the pitting. The more common method is to use a solution of chromic and phosphoric acids which will remove the anodizing without harming the aluminum. Remember if you are prepping fro re-anodizing or painting to also fully neutralize the stripping solution and then follow with an appropriate etching solution.

If you can find an aircraft repair / painting facility they will have the necessary chemicals you are looking for. I prefer the TURCO brand, but I'm sure there are many equivelants.

Here's a nice white paper from Lockheed -- http://www.lockheedmartin.com/data/assets/4096.pdf

If you just want to do this with caustic soda - then use a dilute (no more than 5%) solution in hot water (140+). A bathtub works quite well. Get some good acid protective gloves, apron and mask and go at it with a small scotchbrite brush or pad.

One last thing - don't run the residue down the drain! Instead you'll need to dispose of it at a waste collection facility.

 

[CoffinDodger]

I seem to recall stripping a Red Shred (paint though) with NitroMors.

 

[Davad]

So just to conclude this thread: Thanks for everyone`s comments. I found two great things with this project. The first is a kind of jelly draino that is perfect for stripping ano off of aluminum. It`s also super cheap!

http://www.pipeunish.jp/product/gel.html

The second is the shop which recommended it to me, FIG bikes in Harajuku, just down Meiji-dori from Map Sports and Narushima. Great place, super communicative/confident staff (unlike all the asperger-syndrom bipeds at Y`s/Narushima...)

http://www.figbike.com/

Happy riding/wrenching,

d

 

[onm]

The second is the shop which recommended it to me, FIG bikes in Harajuku, just down Meiji-dori from Map Sports and Narushima. Great place, super communicative/confident staff (unlike all the asperger-syndrom bipeds at Y`s/Narushima...)

http://www.figbike.com/

Happy riding/wrenching,

d

I could not have put my feelings about Y's any better than this! They are such nobs in that place, in all the branches I have been in, and I approached each visit with fresh enthusiasm and an open mind; even my girlfriend, who is usually pretty quiet about these things, mentioned (unprompted) that she thought the customer service I received was appalling.

I don't expect everyone to be communicative, but I at least want them to be into what they are selling and know what they are talking about, and enthused with what should be their passion.

Anyway, I will defo check out this place you recommended. Thanks for the heads up!

Owen