Llabak Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 So a friend of mine whose father is a mechanic got me this lovely coil spring. The problem is that it appears to have a coating (rubber? plastic?). How do I go about getting this stuff off? I melted a little bit of it, and it didn't smell so good, so I don't think that is a very good long term solution. I've got a bench grinder, but no angle grinder. Is my best bet to get myself an angle grinder and grind it all off? Or is this something that I really can just burn off with good ventilation? Thanks! Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisB Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 It's powdercoat. The easy way to get it off is to burn it off. Otherwise your dealing with very nasty chemicals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Llabak Posted March 5, 2009 Author Share Posted March 5, 2009 Well that's about the best answer I could have heard! Thanks, Chris! Cheers Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 It's powdercoat. The easy way to get it off is to burn it off. Otherwise your dealing with very nasty chemicals. And burning these nasty chemicals is makes them safe? I would suggest getting a bare metal spring from another source and avoid any nasty chemicals or health issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianbrazealblacksmith Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 I second that Glen! Springs are easy to come by. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CurlyGeorge Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 Stop by a local junk yard and you can probably pick up springs for very litlle cost. Don't burn it off, unless you have very good ventilation. It's just not worth it. Uncoated springs are too easy to come by. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 Don't burn it off, unless you have very good ventilation. It's just not worth it. Good ventilation means getting it out of your way and blowing the nasty stuff into your neighbors yard or diluting it to where you no longer see it in the air. Why even mess with it at all when bare metal is available? Please understand am not picking on anyone, it is just that dilution is not the solution to pollution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisB Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 Powdercoating is polyester powder baked onto a part i.e. plastic coating. The nasty chemcial part is the strippers required to remove that "plastic" coating. Go to any large powdercoating shop and ask to see the burn off oven. It's how they clean the hooks/hangers/racks used to hang the parts being coated. You can also remove it with a sandblaster or wire wheel. A blast cabinet would be ideal. I do agree with Glenn and Brian in the fact that there is plenty of steel out there that is coating free. I have to scrounge hard to find free stuff, so I know how annoying that can be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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