Stripping clear off M-Parallels post 2022

[genphreak]

I will try wet sanding tomorrow and see if that works. If not then we go to the 220... then 150... 80? Take the grinder with 36 grit? I'll post some pics tomorrow? LoL I put a posty note on the middle of my monitor, that should remind me.

I reckon the factory finishes them with powder, it's stronger than most 2 pack paints iirc.

And yes, abrasives to deal with hard coatings on top of soft aluminium, sounds a challenge for sure.

There is some stuff, Benco C17, or you can make a home-made mix- check out this guy's how-to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQkzpCBbXfM

It's a bit organic... but uh... it sounds only slightly more dangerous than your 'potion'

[632 Regal]

This shyt is unbelievable if it's a coating. Strippers wont touch it at all. I sanded it a bit and stripper didn't see it. I'm thinking something in the forging process which doesn't make sense. Whatever. I used a DA and 150 I think, old paper that got oil on it and blows apart ... nevermind. I only did the lip, was supposed to figure how to grind the barrels but didn't have time yet. And I took a picture of that but it didn't show up so that's missing. I'll post what I got.

I sanded the complete lips on all 4. I am committed now. Just need to figure out how to cut this layer without messing it up.

[632 Regal]

No power sanding materials at the tool store so I grabbed some 150 to cut the mystery coating. Wont work with water so went with dry sanding. About 2 hours I almost got one barrel done. Almost. Then there are 3 more, I cant wait! I have read everything I could find before jumping into this, there is no coating on the aluminum. They are all wrong. Yeah I know, no pics.... sigh. I need to force my little ipad or whatever it is to work on this site so I can post pics. Just thinking of options right now, this hand sanding sucks.

[632 Regal]

[632 Regal]

400 grit on da.

[632 Regal]

DA sanding is okay, just not good if you don't see WTF you are doing. This is not like painting a car. Very different. Trying to buff or wheel you will see that the da sanding failed. Resanded with 1000, 1500 and 2000. Then used the drill buffer taking time with the cutting stuff. About done with it, 3 more to go. I will never do this again. Ever. Just buy the wheels you want and be done. If I ever finish this I'll get tires and hope the wheels are straight.

[632 Regal]

For those that think I'm hallucinating, that hard finish below the clear I was talking about?

Anodized aluminum creates a surface that is three times harder than standard aluminum, and will not chip, flake, or peel, even when processed to add color. Because the anodization process is controlled oxidation of the aluminum, the product will also never rust, patina, or weather. Anodized aluminum is one of the toughest, most versatile metal products on the market.
Appearance

Anodized aluminum has an appearance that lends beauty to any item. When left natural, anodized aluminum is a bright new silver color, and can be anodized in a way that leaves either a matte or bright finish.

[632 Regal]

Now the issue is that soft aluminum shows micro scratches. From the 2000 grit. So I go through the polishing steps on all wheels and it's not a bright mirror finish, more like a milky semi shining finish.

Through a 10X loupe you can see them scratches in vivid detail, bazillions of them. The scratches that remain are from the compounds I have been using and not the 2000 grit paper. Trying to avoid anything with oil or wax cause I have to paint the silver stuff and then clear the things. I tried 000 steel wool which enhances it's own scratches but leaves a different look lol. Should I re-sand it with 3000, 4000, 5000 then 10,000? I don't think so. I think I will try some paint swirl remover with the buffing wheel and see how that goes.

Soo... this is where I'm at right now.

(I forgot the pictures).

[632 Regal]

Cleaning up for the silver Wurth paint. Going to worry about the shiny later.

[632 Regal]

Rash and stuff prior.