Paint removal from pipes

[skiracer]

Has anyone removed the paint off an existing pipe?  I have one that I need to do some work on, plus it has some surface rust.  I am thinking of stripping the entire pipe while I'm at it, and then paint it once all the work is done.

1976 250 MC5 Original Owner
1976 Penton 175 XC

[KJDonovan]

James,  

I generally just sandblast old pipes prior to repairing and repainting, but if you're going through the effort of removing, blasting, repairing, and painting there is one other step you should take.  After removing the pipe and prior to blasting, I would recommend taking an acetylene torch and carefully heating the pipe section by section to burn off all the solidified oil that has collected in it over the years.  If you have not done this before I suspect you will surprised how much lighter the pipe is once the process is completed.  

Thanks,

Kevin

[skiracer]

Hey Kevin,

Thanks for the response.  I don't have access to any sandblasting, so, I will just sand it as smooth as I can get it.  It is going on a race bike, so it doesn't need to be perfect.  Yes, I have done the heating of the pipe to clean it out before, and yes, the pipe does get much lighter when completed!  Thanks again.  Jl

quote:Originally posted by KJDonovan

James,  

I generally just sandblast old pipes prior to repairing and repainting, but if you're going through the effort of removing, blasting, repairing, and painting there is one other step you should take.  After removing the pipe and prior to blasting, I would recommend taking an acetylene torch and carefully heating the pipe section by section to burn off all the solidified oil that has collected in it over the years.  If you have not done this before I suspect you will surprised how much lighter the pipe is once the process is completed.  

Thanks,

Kevin

1976 250 MC5 Original Owner
1976 Penton 175 XC

[Cal Alexander]

Try using a scotch brite circular pad for a pneumatic rotary sander. The pads are sold at auto body supply stores. It makes the job of prepping a pipe easy. Cuts through the paint, scale, rust and crud quickly. Then sand it lightly by hand prior to painting.

[skiracer]

Thanks Carl!  Great idea.

quote:Originally posted by Cal Alexander

Try using a scotch brite circular pad for a pneumatic rotary sander. The pads are sold at auto body supply stores. It makes the job of prepping a pipe easy. Cuts through the paint, scale, rust and crud quickly. Then sand it lightly by hand prior to painting.

1976 250 MC5 Original Owner
1976 Penton 175 XC

[firstturn]

I remember going by Old School bike builders Shops and seeing them build a camp fire out back and put the two stroke pipes in the fire to burn off all the deposits inside.  Just great memories from some Great Old Builders who are no loner with us.  What KJDonovan said is true you can tell the difference in weight before and after cleaning the inside of a pipe.

Ron Carbaugh

[skiracer]

And you can feel the performance difference too!

quote]Originally posted by firstturn

I remember going by Old School bike builders Shops and seeing them build a camp fire out back and put the two stroke pipes in the fire to burn off all the deposits inside.  Just great memories from some Great Old Builders who are no loner with us.  What KJDonovan said is true you can tell the difference in weight before and after cleaning the inside of a pipe.

Ron Carbaugh

[/quote]

1976 250 MC5 Original Owner
1976 Penton 175 XC

[firstturn]

It depends on how much build up you have in the pipe.

Ron Carbaugh