logos on aluminum

Jim Smith said:

Does anyone know how the writing on aluminum bike components is done?

I started out trying to remove the logos from some new ergo levers. A
white cloth with some methylene chloride removed a bit of something
black, but the writing appeared unchanged. I then tried some 320 wet
dry I had handy. This didn't seem to put even one scratch on the
levers. I gave up trying to remove the writing, but was left
wondering how it is done. I was also impressed with the hardness of
the surface, is it just aluminum oxide from anodizing, or something
else?

Most aluminium bike parts are lacquered, so you've probably removed the
lacquer too. Expect white patches to appear soon :-(

Zog The Undeniable said:

Jim Smith said:

Does anyone know how the writing on aluminum bike components is done?
I started out trying to remove the logos from some new ergo levers.
A
white cloth with some methylene chloride removed a bit of something
black, but the writing appeared unchanged. I then tried some 320 wet
dry I had handy. This didn't seem to put even one scratch on the
levers. I gave up trying to remove the writing, but was left
wondering how it is done. I was also impressed with the hardness of
the surface, is it just aluminum oxide from anodizing, or something
else?

Most aluminium bike parts are lacquered, so you've probably removed
the lacquer too. Expect white patches to appear soon :-(

I don't think I removed anything. The sandpaper didn't even leave a
scratch. They look exactly like they did before I started.

On Sun, 23 Jan 2005 03:51:20 -0600, Jim Smith <[email hidden]>

may have said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Does anyone know how the writing on aluminum bike components is done?
I started out trying to remove the logos from some new ergo levers.
A
white cloth with some methylene chloride removed a bit of something
black, but the writing appeared unchanged. I then tried some 320 wet
dry I had handy.

I don't think I removed anything. The sandpaper didn't even leave a
scratch. They look exactly like they did before I started.

A link to a photo would make it easier to do more than speculate about
which of the many methods may be in use. They include stencil
printing using a variety of inks (some of which are epoxy-based and
quite durable), etching before anodization, and a number of other
possibilities.

--
My email address is antispammed; pull WEEDS if replying via e-mail.
Typoes are not a bug, they're a feature.
Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.

Werehatrack said:

On Sun, 23 Jan 2005 03:51:20 -0600, Jim Smith <[email hidden]>

may have said:

Quoted message said:

> Does anyone know how the writing on aluminum bike components is done?
> I started out trying to remove the logos from some new ergo levers.
> A
> white cloth with some methylene chloride removed a bit of something
> black, but the writing appeared unchanged. I then tried some 320 wet
> dry I had handy.

I don't think I removed anything. The sandpaper didn't even leave a
scratch. They look exactly like they did before I started.

A link to a photo would make it easier to do more than speculate about
which of the many methods may be in use. They include stencil
printing using a variety of inks (some of which are epoxy-based and
quite durable), etching before anodization, and a number of other
possibilities.

Dear Jim,

If you do have a picture of your stubborn levers, but no
easy way to put it up for Werehatrack and others to admire,
feel free to email it to me as an attachment and I'll host
it.

Carl Fogel

Werehatrack said:

On Sun, 23 Jan 2005 03:51:20 -0600, Jim Smith <[email hidden]>

may have said:

Quoted message said:

> Does anyone know how the writing on aluminum bike components is done?
> I started out trying to remove the logos from some new ergo levers.
> A
> white cloth with some methylene chloride removed a bit of something
> black, but the writing appeared unchanged. I then tried some 320 wet
> dry I had handy.

I don't think I removed anything. The sandpaper didn't even leave a
scratch. They look exactly like they did before I started.

A link to a photo would make it easier to do more than speculate about
which of the many methods may be in use. They include stencil
printing using a variety of inks (some of which are epoxy-based and
quite durable), etching before anodization, and a number of other
possibilities.

I don't have a photo, but they are just just ordinary 10 speed campy
centaur ergo levers. I was trying to remove the black "centaur" on
the levers, but I have pretty well given up on that, mine look exactly
like they did when they came out of the box.

Now I am starting to wonder if the levers are actually aluminum. They
are non-magnetic but they look like they are stamped from a sheet. I
didn't know you could do that with aluminum, if they are in fact
aluminum.

Jim Smith said:

Werehatrack said:

On Sun, 23 Jan 2005 03:51:20 -0600, Jim Smith <[email hidden]>

may have said:

>>Does anyone know how the writing on aluminum bike components is done?
>>I started out trying to remove the logos from some new ergo levers.
>>A
>>white cloth with some methylene chloride removed a bit of something
>>black, but the writing appeared unchanged. I then tried some 320 wet
>>dry I had handy.

I don't think I removed anything. The sandpaper didn't even leave a
scratch. They look exactly like they did before I started.

A link to a photo would make it easier to do more than speculate about
which of the many methods may be in use. They include stencil
printing using a variety of inks (some of which are epoxy-based and
quite durable), etching before anodization, and a number of other
possibilities.

I don't have a photo, but they are just just ordinary 10 speed campy
centaur ergo levers. I was trying to remove the black "centaur" on
the levers, but I have pretty well given up on that, mine look exactly
like they did when they came out of the box.

Now I am starting to wonder if the levers are actually aluminum. They
are non-magnetic but they look like they are stamped from a sheet. I
didn't know you could do that with aluminum, if they are in fact
aluminum.

Yes, they are aluminium. You can do a lot with aluminum, it's just a metal.

Lou
--
Posted by news://news.nb.nu

Jim Smith said:

Werehatrack said:

On Sun, 23 Jan 2005 03:51:20 -0600, Jim Smith <[email hidden]>

may have said:

>>Does anyone know how the writing on aluminum bike components is done?
>>I started out trying to remove the logos from some new ergo levers.
>>A
>>white cloth with some methylene chloride removed a bit of something
>>black, but the writing appeared unchanged. I then tried some 320 wet
>>dry I had handy.

I don't think I removed anything. The sandpaper didn't even leave a
scratch. They look exactly like they did before I started.

A link to a photo would make it easier to do more than speculate about
which of the many methods may be in use. They include stencil
printing using a variety of inks (some of which are epoxy-based and
quite durable), etching before anodization, and a number of other
possibilities.

I don't have a photo, but they are just just ordinary 10 speed campy
centaur ergo levers. I was trying to remove the black "centaur" on
the levers, but I have pretty well given up on that, mine look exactly
like they did when they came out of the box.

Now I am starting to wonder if the levers are actually aluminum. They
are non-magnetic but they look like they are stamped from a sheet. I
didn't know you could do that with aluminum, if they are in fact
aluminum.

Yes they are formed aluminum. Not really as impressive as a
formed beverage container, but at least as well made.

The lettering is a 'hot stamp'. The letter material is
pretty tough but will come off with a 400-600 wetsand. If
you're in a hurry a razor blade will also take it right off.
I've never seen a solvent that will move it.

After removing the letters you may have a 'hole' in the
clear so be ready to wetsand the whole lever blade and
polish it. Easier if you press out the lever pivot pin.

I wouldn't do that at all on a grey Centaur.

--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

A Muzi said:

Jim Smith said:

Werehatrack said:

On Sun, 23 Jan 2005 03:51:20 -0600, Jim Smith <[email hidden]>
may have said:

>>>Does anyone know how the writing on aluminum bike components is done?
>>>I started out trying to remove the logos from some new ergo levers.
>>>A
>>>white cloth with some methylene chloride removed a bit of something
>>>black, but the writing appeared unchanged. I then tried some 320 wet
>>> dry I had handy.
>
>I don't think I removed anything. The sandpaper didn't even leave a
>scratch. They look exactly like they did before I started.

A link to a photo would make it easier to do more than speculate about
which of the many methods may be in use. They include stencil
printing using a variety of inks (some of which are epoxy-based and
quite durable), etching before anodization, and a number of other
possibilities.

I don't have a photo, but they are just just ordinary 10 speed campy
centaur ergo levers. I was trying to remove the black "centaur" on
the levers, but I have pretty well given up on that, mine look exactly
like they did when they came out of the box.
Now I am starting to wonder if the levers are actually
aluminum. They
are non-magnetic but they look like they are stamped from a sheet. I
didn't know you could do that with aluminum, if they are in fact
aluminum.

Yes they are formed aluminum. Not really as impressive as a formed
beverage container, but at least as well made.

Quoted message said:

The lettering is a 'hot stamp'. The letter material is pretty tough
but will come off with a 400-600 wetsand. If you're in a hurry a razor
blade will also take it right off. I've never seen a solvent that will
move it.

After removing the letters you may have a 'hole' in the clear so be
ready to wetsand the whole lever blade and polish it. Easier if you
press out the lever pivot pin.

I wouldn't do that at all on a grey Centaur.

Thanks, that did it. I was just giving up too early with the
sandpaper. With renewed confidence from your reading your post I
tried again. It went down exactly as you described. The clear coat is
much tougher than the lettering, so sanding initially left a "punched
out" looking rectangular hole in the clear coat. I wasn't feeling
ambitious enough to sand and polish the whole lever so I just blended
the edges in a bit.

Speaking of aluminum beverage containers, I just recently found a nice
accessory for the touring bike to make from them:

http://tinyurl.com/5633k

If made with care it is hard to believe it used to be trash.

Jim Smith said:

Werehatrack said:

On Sun, 23 Jan 2005 03:51:20 -0600, Jim Smith <[email hidden]>

may have said:

>> Does anyone know how the writing on aluminum bike components is done?
>> I started out trying to remove the logos from some new ergo levers.
>> A
>> white cloth with some methylene chloride removed a bit of something
>> black, but the writing appeared unchanged. I then tried some 320 wet
>> dry I had handy.

I don't think I removed anything. The sandpaper didn't even leave a
scratch. They look exactly like they did before I started.

A link to a photo would make it easier to do more than speculate about
which of the many methods may be in use. They include stencil
printing using a variety of inks (some of which are epoxy-based and
quite durable), etching before anodization, and a number of other
possibilities.

I don't have a photo, but they are just just ordinary 10 speed campy
centaur ergo levers. I was trying to remove the black "centaur" on
the levers, but I have pretty well given up on that, mine look exactly
like they did when they came out of the box.

The good news is now you know for sure you got some damn tough levers.

Ron

A Muzi said:

The lettering is a 'hot stamp'. The letter material is pretty tough but
will come off with a 400-600 wetsand. If you're in a hurry a razor blade
will also take it right off. I've never seen a solvent that will move it.

After removing the letters you may have a 'hole' in the clear so be
ready to wetsand the whole lever blade and polish it.

OK, so I gather there's some sort of clearcoat on these things. Is this
coating something that can be made/done without a major industrial shop
in one's garage? (clearcoating on polished aluminum)

My particular problem: I got a nice bike, custom painted, with a
painted-to-match Silca frame pump. Looks really nice, IMHO. Problem:
The aluminum sleeve for the pump-head end of the barrel is ?seemingly?
chrome plated. Looked great at first, but after 5 years it's corroding
from beneath the plate (or whatever that shiny stuff is) - so I'm
getting shiny flakes with white powder underneath.

I'd get a plain aluminum replacement, polish, and clearcoat, if that was
reasonably possible (otherwise, when the peeling spots get too large to
ignore, I'll just polish a new one.)

Ideas, anyone?

Mark Janeba

Quoted message said:

A Muzi said:

The lettering is a 'hot stamp'. The letter material is pretty tough
but will come off with a 400-600 wetsand. If you're in a hurry a razor
blade will also take it right off. I've never seen a solvent that will
move it.
After removing the letters you may have a 'hole' in the clear so be
ready to wetsand the whole lever blade and polish it.

Mark Janeba said:

OK, so I gather there's some sort of clearcoat on these things. Is this
coating something that can be made/done without a major industrial shop
in one's garage? (clearcoating on polished aluminum)

My particular problem: I got a nice bike, custom painted, with a
painted-to-match Silca frame pump. Looks really nice, IMHO. Problem:
The aluminum sleeve for the pump-head end of the barrel is ?seemingly?
chrome plated. Looked great at first, but after 5 years it's corroding
from beneath the plate (or whatever that shiny stuff is) - so I'm
getting shiny flakes with white powder underneath.

I'd get a plain aluminum replacement, polish, and clearcoat, if that was
reasonably possible (otherwise, when the peeling spots get too large to
ignore, I'll just polish a new one.)

The Silca sleeve is anodized so they won't polish until that
coating is wetsanded off - real work.

Write me, Mark, and I'll send you a spare shiny sleeve

--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971