Removing paint off black clip?

[Ravana]

Before people go off that I should use the search feature I did! Just wanted clarification on how to get the clip nice and shiny.

With that said I'll start fresh:

I'm looking to remove the paint from a black clip. From reading previous posts 100% acetone does the job, but any other suggestions for removing paint? Does acetone have any corrosive effects on the metal?

Next, how do you folks go about polishing the clip afterwards?

In addition, if one uses steelwool/sandpaper to polish wouldn't that result in a weaker clip since one would be shaving off some metal?

Thanks,
Rav.

PS: If anyone has some before and after pics, or hell, after pics of black clips turned naked please show!

[Clip]

Acetone shouldn't touch the metal. Steel wool and extremely fine grades of sandpaper to polish won't remove enough metal to make the clip noticeably weaker. You could also try a metal polish like Flitz.

Since I haven't needed to remove the paint, I don't have any suggestions but I know I've read of people using products other than acetone. Mineral spirits maybe? Just make sure you take all the proper precautions when working with whatever you choose!

[BladePlay]

Try using Jasco professional strength epoxy and paint remover.
Also, not a bad video on polishing (or satin finish) the clip once stripped.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9LFNn1dgpQ

[sharpguitarist]

hey rav,
i've stipped most of my black clips using pure acetone and elbow grease.
take note that this only works on the painted clips, like the delica, and endura, not the military clips. i think the latter are anodized or blackened in another way. these have to be sanded to remove the black in my experience.
i don't much care for the shiney clips, so i haven't polished any of mine.
i prefer a more subdued finish on my clips.
the painted clips have a nice beadblasted finish underneath the black.



the military clip i stripped by sanding the black finish, then doing my own poor mans stonewashing to it.



just be careful when you use acetone if that's what you choose.
it's toxic to the liver if overexposed, dries the skin, is flamable, and doesn't smell too pleasant either.
good luck with your venture!
later,
don

[Evil D]

Anodizing can be removed with oven cleaner, so if that's what they use on Military/Para 2 clips then i'd give that a try (i've used Easy Off on anodized BMX parts). Also as far as paint strippers go i've tried them all and what i found to work the best wasn't even a paint stripper, it was an automotive gasket remover from a company called Permatex. I've stripped factory powdercoat off car rims with this stuff. It worked faster and easier than Jasco and all those "aircraft strippers" out there, and it was about half the price per can. If you can find this stuff at Autozone or another parts store, give that a try.

[fredswartz]

Try using a Scotch Brite pad. Always
works for me and I have done lots of
clips.

[Ravana]

I'm no expert on paint vs anodized, anyone know which category the Persian clip falls under?

[Evil D]

I'm no expert on paint vs anodized, anyone know which category the Persian clip falls under?

You really just have to look at it and figure it out. If it has chips in it, try to see how thick they are. If they look thick then it's probably the paint or powdercoat or whatever they use. The anodized clips will be much thinner looking in the chips than the other coatings. My DLC Para 2's coating was so thin it never did chip, it just scratched off. It's kind of hard to explain but the painted clips will look painted and the anodized clips sort of look more like black metal. If you get both clips side by side it's easier to understand what i mean. Anodizing is also usually smoother than the other coating so it'll have a little more deep gloss to it whereas the painted clip just looks like someone sprayed the clip with black paint.

[Drkknight614]

The way I took the paint off was by using a dremel and those felt heads. I applied sharpening compound on the felt and went to work. It takes some time but it does work. I used green compound to clean it up. If you do it this way you need to be careful, bc the clip will heat up a lot and if your holding it you will get burned.

[Lefty923]

After 10 minutes with paint stripper and a little rubbing, the paint came off with a little elbow grease and some fine steel wool. I then followed up with the green compound and dremel wheel.

[410ericb]

that looks so much nicer! looks like I'm off to the shed tomorrow

[The Deacon]

A possible alternative would be to contact Spyderco and find out whether they have any of the unpainted clips from the red G-10 Sprint Run Persian on hand and would sell you one.

[Clip]

Anodizing can be removed with oven cleaner, so if that's what they use on Military/Para 2 clips then i'd give that a try (i've used Easy Off on anodized BMX parts). Also as far as paint strippers go i've tried them all and what i found to work the best wasn't even a paint stripper, it was an automotive gasket remover from a company called Permatex. I've stripped factory powdercoat off car rims with this stuff. It worked faster and easier than Jasco and all those "aircraft strippers" out there, and it was about half the price per can. If you can find this stuff at Autozone or another parts store, give that a try.

The sodium hydroxide in the oven cleaner is what removes the aluminum oxide layer containing the color. I've also used Red Devil drain cleaner (caustic, lye, another product containing the sodium hydroxide) to remove a layer of anodizing in preparation for another color. Just mixed it up in some water, dip my part in for less than a minute, and out it comes with just some touch-up needed. Just be careful you don't leave it in too long because it'll keep eating.

Deacon, am I looking at the wrong picture? What clip are you talking about?