How to remove stickers? and paint?

PlaySmart · 10-11-2009, 08:44 PM

Last night be and my friend were driving behind a strip mall on our way outta walmart, its all setup for business back there but no one leases it.
Anyways, I saw a bike just laying in the middle of the parking lot, a bike, in a black parking lot at 9 at night and literally not a soul around, drove over, got out, looked at it, tires were flat and the thing is covered in stickers, I threw it in his trunk and we took it home, after further inspection I discovered it was a Haro BMX Bike, and from what I hear those are half way decent. Today I attempted to take the stickers off, the ones that weren't like paper based pealed off easily with a blow dryer. But now I have all the nasty white paper crap from the other ones, and I found out some one had spray painted the whole thing black, it was originally a nice green which I found after scrapping some paint off. My question is. First how to get that white paper residue off, and second, if I use paint thinner/stripper, will that remove both the nasty spray paint and the original paint? I'm fine with it removing the original paint to, but I have never used paint stripper.

Thanks

**DBLJ** · 10-11-2009, 08:55 PM

Goo Gone for the sticker crap. Or just use paint stripper and save a step.

PlaySmart · 10-11-2009, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DBTJ

Goo Gone for the sticker crap. Or just use paint stripper and save a step.

If I use stripper and just scrub that will remove the paint and stickers right?

**Grape Ape** · 10-11-2009, 09:15 PM

Put the paint stripper on as per the directions. Wait as long as the instructions tell you to and then remove it as it says.

Follow the directions to the letter in regards to safety precautions. Stripper is caustic and can remove the paint as well as your skin.

But it really is pretty plain and simple just follow the directions.

VolcomPunk · 10-11-2009, 09:16 PM

hell yea man...i loved my haro...till it got jacked

PlaySmart · 10-11-2009, 09:20 PM

I think I'm just gonna go straight to the stripper, and do what the instructions say, I may leave it bare metal if I like the look, just gotta remember not to get it wet then. And I will be keeping a close eye on it, figuring there have been a number of BMX bikes stolen around here. All the kids my age steal stuff around here and I blame the fact theres nothing for them to do. But if I see this thing getting stolen after all the work I'm gonna have to put into it, I'm chasing them and beating them

yjJeff · 10-11-2009, 09:53 PM

trust me on this.... when I bought my jeep it was covered in stickers. Use a hairdryer on the stickers FIRST! It will make them pull right off, then wirewheel the paint and acetone or MEK the metal. DONT wirewheel the stickers, they don't come off, they gum up your wheel and make it worse. I struggled with stickers for 3 days before someone here suggested a hairdryer, and I got them off in under 30 minutes.

SeaWulf · 10-11-2009, 10:02 PM

Metal can rust without coming in direct contact with water, humidity in the air can do it. At least cover it in primer after you use the paint stripper.

PILL · 10-11-2009, 10:05 PM

Is the frame aluminum or steel? If it is aluminum you can just leave it bare.

SeaWulf · 10-11-2009, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PILL

Is the frame aluminum or steel? If it is aluminum you can just leave it bare.

ahhhh good point

1997_Sport · 10-11-2009, 10:09 PM

Lets see some pictures of this bike man.

**Rob99** · 10-11-2009, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PlaySmart

I think I'm just gonna go straight to the stripper, and do what the instructions say, I may leave it bare metal if I like the look, just gotta remember not to get it wet then. And I will be keeping a close eye on it, figuring there have been a number of BMX bikes stolen around here. All the kids my age steal stuff around here and I blame the fact theres nothing for them to do. But if I see this thing getting stolen after all the work I'm gonna have to put into it, I'm chasing them and beating them

Kind of ironic that you're worried about this bike getting stolen when most likely you picked up a stolen bike in a parking lot.

CJBRENT · 10-11-2009, 10:15 PM

Paint over everything!

PlaySmart · 10-11-2009, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob99

Kind of ironic that you're worried about this bike getting stolen when most likely you picked up a stolen bike in a parking lot.

Ya I just thought of that, but the way I figure it, if it gets stolen, its more the hours of work I did getting stolen rather then the bike.
.

I have a feeling its Aluminum, if thats the case I'll just keep it bare, well if it looks good.

**Rob99** · 10-11-2009, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PlaySmart

Ya I just thought of that, but the way I figure it, if it gets stolen, its more the hours of work I did getting stolen rather then the bike.
.

I have a feeling its Aluminum, if thats the case I'll just keep it bare, well if it looks good.

Orrrrrr how about reporting the bike you found. There might be a kid out there devastated because his bike was stolen.