Some email conversation with TVOR is leading me to think that
1. Restoring the scooter frame is not such a daft idea.
2. Stripping the frame of all filler and rust BEFORE buying a replacement floorpan might be wise - so that I can make a full assessment of potential money and time drain.
3. In order to get the body stripped, I will have to take the scooter apart. I was reluctant to do this in case i simply got distracted and I create a basket case of bits. However on reflection, If worse comes to worse I could just sell the parts on ebay.
So I wondered how much it would cost to get the frame back to its bare metal?
A very nice lady at Surface Processing Ltd in Dudley, told me that they can chemically dip my scooter frame to remove all signs of paint, rust and filler for £120+VAT (£195+VAT if i want all the ancillaries done too) And I can take it in any time I like (they only take bookings for full vehicle bodies)
A bit more googling and I found City Powder Coaters who claimed on their website to do a motorcycle frame, chemical, shot, sand and powder coat for 45 quid. So I called them and once again a very nice chap (are all strippers nice people?) was very helpful. He said that actually, from what I described, I should get the frame properly chemically stripped first as their process would probably have to depend to heavily on the shotblasting to remove the body filler, and this wouldnt be good for the delicate frame. Once stripped they could do the sanding and powder coating (and I might consider this option). So that was a useful insight; I certainly dont want some industrial shot-blaster working hard to remove bodyfiller out of a hole and accidentally, blasting its way through the good surrounding metal. He suggested I give Sandwell stripping a call...... but i dont seem to be able to get through to them
Quick update - got through to shaun at Sandwell stripping (again, a nice chap) and he reckoned it would be about 40 quid to dip the frame (to get rid of paint, filler and rust) - would take a day, 'bring it round when you want'. So this sounds like a good option.... though I cant help wondering what the difference is between a £120 dip and a £40 dip??
2 comments:
Hughie again - don't forget the blokes at Redditch Shot Blasting. They have handled literally thousands of motorbikes and motorbike/car bits over the last 20 years I have used them. A lot of these places come and go but RSB carry on quite happily which I attribute to them providing a good service at a good price.
I don't know if they have any scooter experience but I would be extremely surprised if they didn't. I would certainly also give them a call to see what they have to say on the subject.
Hugh. Excellent suggestion. Ive just called them www.redditchshotblasting.co.uk - and spoke to Dave - another jolly nice chap (I think I'm going to get a job in a shot-blasters) and he has given me some excellent advice. My main concern being that shot-blasters have a rep for knocking 7 bells out of a delicate bit of rusty metal - he tells me that some industrial sized blasters do try to make a bit of cash on the side by doing jobs that are too small for their equipment. RSB however specialise in bike and car parts, and have done loads of vespas and lambrettas. Another thing to look out for is chemical strippers who dont neutralise thoroughly and so the chem keeps eating away in the seams. Dave reckons an estimate of £20 to get the frame back to bare metal. So I shall definitely drive it over to them to see if its something they can do for me.... AND of course they powder coat too.... so might be good for final colouring too
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