stripping a black steel rack: options?

[Brian Turner]

Hello everyone! I have acquired a Tumbleweed mini pannier rack that I would like to use as a rear rack on my Gus. The only thing is, it's black of course, and I'm wondering if there's a way to strip it down to bare steel and refinish it in a way that would look more fitting with all the Nitto and other silver stuff on the bike. I'm guessing the stays and other hardware are aluminum, so those would need to be handled differently, but the rack itself is steel.

Is there a finishing method that would simulate the "dull bright" Nitto finish? Is there something I can DIY? Should I get it plated somehow? Is this a fool's errand (because if it is, I'm happy to have someone give me a reality check)?

Interested to hear some advice from anyone who may have tried something similar with success.

thanks!

Brian

[Richard Rose]

Brian, I have one of the Tumbleweed T racks. I am not certain but I think it is powder coated. I think powder coat is difficult to remove? In any event I’ve learned that powder coat is available in a multitude of finishes including those that mimic metal ones. I would be tempted to consult a good powder coating operation to see if they could refinish the rack to simulate the one you want.

Sent from my iPhone

On May 8, 2023, at 12:01 PM, Brian Turner <brok...@gmail.com> wrote:



--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/e8e2ff8b-3285-4960-b18e-236d5c83ac3fn%40googlegroups.com.

[Garth]

I would think since it's painted steel and you're looking at painting it, a local powder coater would surely have the sand blaster on hand to remove the paint.

Just call around, there seems to be powder coaters everywhere that aren't cycle specific but that's not necessary, it's just steel rod. It's not like they don't paint motorcycle parts of all kinds.

[Steven Sweedler]

I have a fork that is powdercoated in the color called “chrome” . Its on a Litespeed frame with the high polish option that looks more like stainless than brushed titanium. It was close enough for me. My new Matchak touring frame is at the powdercoater now awaiting the same color  Steve

--

You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/e8e2ff8b-3285-4960-b18e-236d5c83ac3fn%40googlegroups.com.

--

Steven Sweedler
Plymouth, New Hampshire

[Eric Marth]

Hi Brian — This isn't something I've done before but here's my take. 

Is it this rack here? https://tumbleweed.cc/collections/products/products/mini-pannier-rack

This rack is likely powder coated. If you want it painted silver-ish or stripped and then clear powder coated my recommendation would be to find a powder coating shop. If you want it to have a Nitto finish I'd recommend you find a chrome shop in your area and talk with them about stripping and refinishing the rack for you. You might have to make several phone calls to find the right shop but I'd bet you could find someone within driving distance. 

The Nitto racks are nickel plated. If you visit a shop I'd recommend that you bring a Nitto rack or strut with you if you can as an example of the exact finish and luster you want to achieve. 

Good luck! 

[Brian Turner]

Thanks, Eric! Yes, that's the same rack I have. Normally, I have a Nitto R14 on the rear to support my saddlebag, and the R14 is nearly half the weight of the Tumbleweed, but I wanted this other rear rack option because I really like the 3-pack mounts on the sides (for cargo cages and extra water bottle options), and the ability to run mini-panniers if I so choose.

I will likely try to remove the black anodizing from the hardware myself, and get the rack professionally powdercoated based on the recommendations received here.

- Brian