Media blasting bicycle components. Opinions?

[Sarc]

I’m planning on swapping out the quill stem on my LeMond Buenos Aires for a slightly shorter stem of similar vintage (3T Record 84). Before I do, however, I’d like to refinish the “new” stem since it has quite a bit of patina to it. In lieu of sitting down with a sandpaper pad and scrubbing all the existing paint off, I was wondering if anyone has tried media blasting such a component. Is it too aggressive a process for an aluminum component? Would dipping be a better alternative? Thoughts appreciated…

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by Sarc

I’m planning on swapping out the quill stem on my LeMond Buenos Aires for a slightly shorter stem of similar vintage (3T Record 84). Before I do, however, I’d like to refinish the “new” stem since it has quite a bit of patina to it. In lieu of sitting down with a sandpaper pad and scrubbing all the existing paint off, I was wondering if anyone has tried media blasting such a component. Is it too aggressive a process for an aluminum component? Would dipping be a better alternative? Thoughts appreciated…

Being aluminum, most media will pit it and you will still have to polish out in the end, use a chemical stripper instead.

[porsche4life]

Something like soda or walnut shells might be a good option. Def not sand, steel shot, or glass beads.

[Sarc]

I was thinking about something less aggressive than sand, etc. I'm just trying to avoid the mess of chemical stripping (I suppose I could farm it out...)

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by Sarc

I was thinking about something less aggressive than sand, etc. I'm just trying to avoid the mess of chemical stripping (I suppose I could farm it out...)

Check out a local Brass polishing place, could be much cheaper than you thing..

Detroit Metal polishing | Metal polishing in ... - Yellowpages.com
www.yellowpages.com/detroit-mi/metal-polishing
70 listings of Plating in Detroit on YP.com. Find reviews, directions & phone numbers for the best metal polishing in Detroit, MI.
12139 Woodbine
Redford Charter Township
(313) 538-3470
McNicholsAnodizing.com
www.mcnicholsanodizing.com/
Place page
13600 Evergreen Road
Detroit
(586) 202-5778
Precision Hone and Tool
www.honingmichigan.com/
Place page
3510 E Mcnichols Rd
Detroit
(313) 893-1050
Superior Metal Finishing Corporation
maps.google.com
Place page
More results near Detroit, MI »

Do you have a media blast cabinet???

[Sarc]

Originally Posted by Racerbvd

Check out a local Brass polishing place, could be much cheaper than you thing..

$100, anodized in gloss black.
Sold!

Thanks.