On Wednesday, Sep 25, 2002, at 10:37AM, First Flight Bicycles <jeff@firstflightbikes.com> wrote:
>Any ideas on how to remove
>the top coat without damaging the original finish?
Jeff, Back when I worked for The Bikesmith we had to do this a bunch on old cruiser bikes, but I think the same operation can be used on lightweights. First is to clean the bike with soap and water to remove the dirt and grease. Once it's dry and clean use 150-180 grit sandpaper and roughen the house paint and wipe off the dust with a dry rag. Next we'd use Citri-Solv diluted down and sprayed on a rag to wipe away the house paint. It takes a while of rubbing and you'll have to keep applying the spray to the rag, but it will dissolve the house paint. You have to be careful so you don't also start to strip the clearcoat of the good paint.
If you have a water transfer decal over the clearcoat like a tubing sticker you most likely won't be able save it. I'm sure the pros have other better methods, but this has been my lo-fi solution that works. Good luck.
enjoy,
Brandon"monkeyman"Ives
SB, CA