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Hey guys,

I just picked up a DOD grunge pedal that I was going to mod and wanted to get rid of the ugly, ugly design. I could just spraypaint over it, but I think I'd like to get back to that raw aluminum look. I googled "removing paint from metal" and found some stuff that suggested burning or paint stripping or even oven cleaner with lye. I thought I'd get some advice from you guys. I'm pretty broke right now (The pedal only set me back 5 bucks) so I was looking for a cheap way to get this done that would still look good.

Anyone got any suggestions?

Steel wool

Thanks for the input! I did consider something like that but.......

How would that leave the metal? Wouldn't it have a bunch of scratches on it?

You could use really rough sandpaper, then keep gradually applying smoother grades to even out the scratches and stuff. Maybe sandpaper after steel wool.
Though I also think it would look good if you stepped on it and kept scraping it along the pavement as you walked.

sandblast that fucker(joke if you dont own an s-blaster)

is stripper not recommended?

I've been working my way through a 10-pack of dent-and-scratch powder coated enclosures that I picked up for next to nothing. I strip them before I use them, otherwise all of my pedals would be green. So...

You have a few options.

1. Paint stripper. It probably won't work unless you get "aircraft stripper." Not cheap (~$15/quart).

2. Heat gun. Heat it up, scrape it off. A heat gun will run you under $10 at Harbor Freight.

3. Sandpaper. I use a random orbital sander, starting with 80 grit and working up to 250, and then go by hand from there. Wear a respirator, or at least do it outside on a windy day. Wet sand if possible.


In order of expense: 3, 2, 1
In order of effort: 1, 2, 3

I wouldn't use steel wool, period. Aluminum is softer than steel. Little bits of the steel will get embedded in the aluminum. This will prevent you from achieving a quality finish, if that is the way you decide to go. Or it will eventually rust, making the enclosure look bad.

Happy sanding!

Mike

I surprised that I'd need "aircraft stripper" instead of regular stuff. But good to know so I won't end up spending cash on something that won't work.

I think that I might just try a bit of sanding to see how it goes, then probably just spray paint the thing if it doesn't look good/if I mess up.

Thanks for all the info guys.

Mark of the Beast wrote:I surprised that I'd need "aircraft stripper" instead of regular stuff. But good to know so I won't end up spending cash on something that won't work.

I think that I might just try a bit of sanding to see how it goes, then probably just spray paint the thing if it doesn't look good/if I mess up.

Thanks for all the info guys.

The orange non toxic stripper isn't that bad and works on most metals

the heat gun may be the best bet,

Really cheap option is nail-varnish remover.

i use acetone to strip all my pedals. took only a few wipes when i stripped my holy grail nano.

I use industrial-strength paint stripper. It's cheap and extremely effective (used on cars, etc). Goop and spread that over the (disassembled) pedal enclosure; fifteen minutes later the paint almost falls off under its own weight under the tap.

i've used citrustrip and it worked like a charm.

yallerhon wrote:I use industrial-strength paint stripper. It's cheap and extremely effective (used on cars, etc). Goop and spread that over the (disassembled) pedal enclosure; fifteen minutes later the paint almost falls off under its own weight under the tap.

I have the funniest mental picture of somebody spreading stripper on a pedal with all controls still on

I saw someone do that to a Strat with all the hardware and pick guard still on it. At least they removed the strings?