Getting the black o...
 

[Closed] Getting the black off crank arms ideas

Posts: 69
Free Member
Topic starter
 

My pet hate is black crank arms. My bike came with them and, surprise surprise, it is rubbing off. Anyone got a quick and painless way of polishing the whole arm ??
Thanks guys


 
Posted : 29/07/2016 3:33 pm
Posts: 4646
Full Member
 

Is it anodized? Oven cleaner and a nylon scourer?


 
Posted : 29/07/2016 3:37 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

I used a dremel and wire wool when I did mine.


 
Posted : 29/07/2016 4:07 pm
Posts: 69
Free Member
Topic starter
 

I suppose they are anodised ? Whatever the normal finish is. Tried wire wool but it's pretty slow going. Didn't use any liquid apart from water. Will try both those then. Thanks guys


 
Posted : 29/07/2016 5:12 pm
Posts: 6920
Full Member
 

Caustic soda


 
Posted : 29/07/2016 5:37 pm
Posts: 85
Free Member
 

Work down with wet nd dry down to really fine stuff then autosol it for a bit ..


 
Posted : 29/07/2016 5:56 pm
Posts: 36
Free Member
 

Wet and dry paper with some water.

It's a messy job though, it"ll take some time though.

Finish off with a tube of Autosol, and some fine wire wool.


 
Posted : 29/07/2016 5:59 pm
Posts: 129
Free Member
 

If its anodised oven cleaner won't work. You need caustic soda. It works very well but is very dangerous. Other than that is wet and dry and elbow grease.


 
Posted : 29/07/2016 6:07 pm
Posts: 4646
Full Member
 

Aren't most oven cleaners caustic soda?


 
Posted : 29/07/2016 6:25 pm
Posts: 1143
Full Member
 

But black is the best colour. My pet hate is when crank arms come in anything but black.


 
Posted : 29/07/2016 6:40 pm
Posts: 129
Free Member
 

Oven cleaners are not normally strong enough to remove anodising. I did a lot of experiments when I was considering stripping some rims to get painted. In the end the only thing that would remove it was caustic soda. It's easy enough just very dangerous if you are not careful. I'm not normally mr health and safety but I was extra cautious messing with this stuff.


 
Posted : 29/07/2016 6:54 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Shimano AM45 shoes do the trick on mine. I love the shoes, but they do seem wide compared to others!


 
Posted : 29/07/2016 7:01 pm
Posts: 760
Full Member
 

Caustic soda, wear thick rubber gloves and don't leave them in too long. 5 minutes or so should do then give them a rub over with a scourer and all the anodising will come off.


 
Posted : 29/07/2016 7:25 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Mr Cycle pink bike cleaner from the poundshop. According to my brother it eats anodised finishes if you leave it on too long.


 
Posted : 29/07/2016 7:27 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

See my Saint cranks polished here...

http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/11321170/

Caustic soda but BE CAREFUL ! The stuff is leathal !

Rinse then wet/dry them working finer and finer, finish with autosol.


 
Posted : 29/07/2016 7:39 pm
Posts: 69
Free Member
Topic starter
 

Brilliant response from all. I LOVE THIS FORUM


 
Posted : 29/07/2016 9:26 pm
Posts: 66083
Full Member
 

Shimano? Ride for 5 minutes, it'll all come off.

(Raceface are clever about this, they have the raised bits which look cool once polished)


 
Posted : 29/07/2016 9:27 pm
Posts: 1979
Free Member
 

Alphabet - Member

But black is the best colour. My pet hate is when crank arms come in anything but black.

Deviant.


 
Posted : 29/07/2016 10:43 pm
Posts: 1979
Free Member
 

Cant link to it.


 
Posted : 29/07/2016 10:44 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Replace them with some silver ones and sell the black ones.


 
Posted : 29/07/2016 10:57 pm
Posts: 6617
Full Member
 

Glass bead blast, polish afterwards. Take 10minutes


 
Posted : 29/07/2016 10:59 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Get a bag of anodising striper and etch
http://gaterosplating.co.uk/Anodise-Stripper-and-Etch.php
They also have an eBay store..

Get a polishing kit that can be used in a drill, that will take no time at all..

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281553615522


 
Posted : 29/07/2016 11:30 pm
Posts: 15433
Full Member
 

[url= http://www.velosolo.co.uk/jjcrank.html ]a useful 'how to' [/url] But basically it requires time, emery paper and a Dremel... Caustic soda? Bollox to that!


 
Posted : 30/07/2016 10:08 am
Posts: 1721
Full Member
 

Caustic soda works a treat.

...Just don't drink it or splash it anywhere!

Dump the cranks in the soda & water, leave until the fizzing mostly stops, rinse well then autosol for a shiny finish.

Sorted


 
Posted : 30/07/2016 10:12 am
Posts: 69
Free Member
Topic starter
 

Had a got is afternoon on the non drive arm and it's looking pretty good but just read 'cjr61' and realised I made it harder than I needed. Tomorrow is another day......cheers all !


 
Posted : 31/07/2016 5:06 pm
Posts: 69
Free Member
Topic starter
 

By the way, they are SRAM X1's not sure if they are powder coated or anodised but the soda trick is working using a scourer. Took about an hour and half. Think I need to make it thicker !!!


 
Posted : 31/07/2016 5:19 pm
Posts: 9010
Free Member
 

Finish off with a tube of Autosol, and some fine wire wool.

I'm fairly sure there's another brand who make something with a similar name but specially for rubbing off annodized finishes.


 
Posted : 31/07/2016 6:03 pm
Posts: 283
Free Member
 

Drain cleaner. Ano comes off in minutes. Then metal polish.


 
Posted : 31/07/2016 10:09 pm
Posts: 6617
Full Member
 

Finish off with a tube of Autosol, and some fine wire wool.

I'm fairly sure there's another brand who make something with a similar name but specially for rubbing off annodized finishes.

scotchbrite (comes in different colours/grades)

https://www.mscdirect.co.uk/CGI/INSRCH?ns=1&oldNtt=&oldNtk=&oldURLVar=&scrNtt=scotch-brite&image.x=0&image.y=0&Ntk=Keyword+Search


 
Posted : 31/07/2016 10:10 pm
Posts: 8927
Free Member
 

Quick ride in Kielder. Gone.


 
Posted : 31/07/2016 11:06 pm