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Remove black coating on levers

Discussion in 'XJ Modifications' started by broberg, Nov 21, 2012.

  1. broberg

    broberg Member

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    Hi

    Has anyone tried to remove the black plastic/rubber-coating that is on the clutch/brake-levers? I mean without grinding it off.

    Is there some solution that dissolves the plastic but is friendly enough not to damage the aluminum?
     
  2. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    Acetone? Possibly Aircraft Paint Remover (from the auto parts) the same stuff we use to strip the original clearcoat before polishing the covers.
     
  3. Corrupt_Reverend

    Corrupt_Reverend Member

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    Maybe gasket remover?
     
  4. hogfiddles

    hogfiddles XJ-Wizard, Host-Central NY Carb Clinic Moderator Premium Member

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    Why not just buy another pair of levers that are the plain aluminum levers? Or get a pair of the chrome ones...... You'll spend more time and money trying to 'bald' them than if you just pick up another pair.

    Dave F
     
  5. danielcarver47

    danielcarver47 Member

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    plastic bag full of laquer thinner, marinate overnight .guaranteed to strip but not etch the metal, its a laquer coating thats used in the factory
     
  6. tskaz

    tskaz Active Member

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    I used the aircraft remover I already had. Then after they were stripped and dried I hit them on the buffing wheel. Nice and shiny.
     
  7. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    Really. To dissolve plastic coating. How long will it take to dissolve THE BAG?

    If the solvent is strong enough to eat the coating it will eat the bag. I'd recommend a metal pan; and I don't think lacquer thinner will do it. I'll try it on a scrap lever and see.

    tskaz has already had success with Aircraft Paint remover; I'd go that route.
     
  8. retread83

    retread83 Member

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    citrus strip paint remover,that's what I used. Got it at Home Depot.
     
  9. Sinner650Bobber

    Sinner650Bobber New Member

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    If its a rubber coating just use DRY ICE ittl pop right off
     
  10. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    I prefer FIRE.....just not so much as to damage or melt the levers....and not in the kitchen over the stove :oops:


    in reality, a chemical stripper is easiest; hardly any effort to let it sit, which is my favorite kind of work.
     
  11. danielcarver47

    danielcarver47 Member

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    :roll:
    please ignore this guy, i should have specified ziplock freezer bag, it will not get "eaten", just like the plastic cap on the laquer thinner can doesnt get "eaten"


    if you were to use a metal pan it would evaporate overnight and be a fire hazard

    also be wary of anyone who claims to know everything about everything and hasnt outgrown looney tunes
     
  12. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    Lacquer thinner bounced right off, BTW. Got 'em nice and clean, did nothing to the covering.

    Paint stripper worked.

    For the record: I ONLY speak from experience. If I haven't actually done it or tried it or used it successfully then I don't offer the advice. That's why, for instance, you won't find me offering advice to Max-X owners having fan or thermostat issues; I have no experience with liquid-cooled XJs. I don't claim to know anything. It all comes from EXPERIENCE or you don't hear it from me.

    More people should live by that philosophy.
     
  13. mook1al

    mook1al Member

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    Dan....I dare you to take a ziplock bag full of thinner and lay it on the tank of your bike overnight.

    Better yet, place a Dixie cup on it and fill it with thinner....
     
  14. RickB

    RickB Member

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    Oh yah, well Dan, while this is clearly a flagrant breach of dare etiquette, I "triple-dog-dare-you"...
     
  15. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    One more item, for the record:

    Duck Edgar Dumas Aloysius Eoghain Dodgers, known to most as "Duck" Dodgers, is no mere Looney Tune. He is one of our pre-eminent fictional space pioneers, from the ranks of such icons as Bedford and Cavor, Prof. Bernard Quatermass, Buck Rodgers, Flash Gordon, James Kirk, Jean-Luc Picard; the list is long and illustrious.

    This is one of the two actual Mission Patches for the 2003 Mars Exploration Rover missions; the other featured Marvin the Martian.

    [​IMG]

    Apparently NASA hasn't "outgrown" Looney Tunes either.

    Or maybe they've also learned not to take themselves too seriously.
     
  16. adrian1

    adrian1 Active Member

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    Beeppata Beepbata. That's all folks :lol: :evil:
     
  17. RickB

    RickB Member

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    Have you considered a Wile E. Coyote avatar? Believe you've earned it. :)
     

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