Paint stripping - dipping

[monkey writer]

Hello,

I have some aluminium English Rose kitchen units which need re-painting as the previous owners have gloss brush painted them. I am a bit worried about rubbing them down as the 1950s paint may contain lots of lead (or so they say).

Is dipping a cheap and effective method? Would it damage the aluminium? Does anyone know anywhere in Kent that would do it?

Cheers!

 

[thiambal]

There was a post on here a few months ago that involved stripping aluminium and I cannot now find it.

I am not sure whether it is possible to dip and strip aluminium with the same process as wood, but if it is the chap at Europine in Walmer does stripping (usually doors etc) but I am sure will do anything for cash.

 

[Nemesis]

I would urge caution. Aluminium is tricky stuff.

I've stripped in with Nitromors, but only do a small area at a atime and wash off asap.

You could try giving Strippers of Sudbury a ring, see what they suggest, or call an up market classic car restorer, see what they use.


There are firms which do strip and restore these kitchen units, it may be worth tracking one down ans seekin advice, At best you will get an answer, at worst told to go away.

 

[thiambal]

Just a thought, you could try a landrover specialist and see what they use. The old series land rovers had aluminim body panels. I know people sometimes strip these back to the metal and then either re-spray or leave naked.

 

[Gervase]

I'd be wary of dipping as, once bright metal is exposed, aluminium is quite a reactive metal, and you could end up with crusty knackered panels if the caustic solution is pretty strong.
Nitromors doesn't react with aluminium, but you'll need lots of it if the paint is anything like that on Land Rovers.
If you're going to paint aluminium you need to use an etch primer first - degrease the metal and aply two thin coats. Any Land-Rover dealer should be able to source some for you. Ordinary metal primer will eventually lift and you'll have unsightly grey patches.

 

[monkey writer]

Thanks guys. The original post was here:

http://periodpropertyshop.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=6643&highlight=aluminium

But while it was lighthearted and fun, it didn't really help me come to any conclusions... I might just go for wet and dry paper and a good face mask. If I do as much as I can outside between rain showers then hopefully I'll minimise the risk from the lead dust.

 

[worms]

Is shotblasting not a better option?

 

[Nemesis]

I'd not - not with anything like aluminium, too soft.

 

[Antwerpman]

there are different shot blasting media you can use - walnut shells are often used for soft materials, as are plastic beads, both of which should do no damage at all to the aluminium (as long as you have an experienced operator who controls the pressure correctly)

Shot blasting can be extremely 'gentle' if people know how to use it

 

[Nemesis]

The problem is, many talk the talk, then ruin what they are blasting!

 

[Antwerpman]

The problem is, many talk the talk, then ruin what they are blasting!

It is very easy to say such things even when it is just an assumption. I dont know how wide and varied your experience of shotblasters is, but I have used many and never had a problem across a wide range or materials. It tends to be a specialist service used mainly by engineering companies (although some do specialise in architectural) so the level of skill tends to be quite high

Of course just like you wouldnt invite `Murphys builders` from the back page of your local free ads newspaper to come and repair your cob walls, so you also need to do a little digging to try and reveal the level of competence of potential companies. For example you wouldnt want to use someone who spent 99% of their time refurbishing alloy wheels