Removing Anodizing From Swingarm

[Tahitian_Red]

I want to remove this crappy silver anodizing from my Mugen replica swingarm.  Any recommendations?  I have heard oven cleaner works well??

[Big Bird]

Gday Red,

Yep, oven cleaner works a treat.  I've found some liquid oven cleaner at Bunnings (hardware chain store) that I paint on with a brush, leave on for a few minutes, then scrub off with coarse grade steel wool.  Rinse with water, repeat as required.  Spray can oven cleaner works fine, but you get less cleaner per dollar, and I find tends to be more fumey (read, burns your lungs...)

I've occasionally used a bit of vinegar to neutralize at the end too, before final rinse.  Lessens some of the blackness you get.

Progressively finer steel wool gives a great shine.  Finish with Autosol metal polish.  New-looking swingarm in an hour tops

Cheers, and hope you are feeling well

Geoff

[Big Bird]

Sorry Red, the liquid stuff I use is drain cleaner, not oven cleaner.  It needs to be the old school caustic stuff.  Paint it on, scrub off, repeat.  When it foams as soon as you paint it on, you are through the anodizing and into the bare metal underneath.

Cheers,

Geoff

[firko]

I had similar results using a caustic garage floor cleaner and Yamaico Pete has had good results with oven cleaner. Sounds like we're all on the same page.

[FourstrokeForever]

Schweet. I knew there had to be an easier way than #180 wet n dry.... If only I knew (or asked) years ago with my very first Resto. Better late than never

[bishboy]

Where is the best place to get good steel wool in various grades from?  I can't seem to find it anywhere.

[Big Bird]

I've been getting my steel wool at Bunnings or other hardware stores - near the sandpaper in the paint prep area.  I buy coarse for stripping, medium for intermediate finishing, then ultra fine for final polish before the autosol is applied.