Favorite Paint Removal Abrasives?

[dr_clyde]

Hey Guys,

I'm doing some pipefitting with 4" and 6" steel pipe. The stub ends are all painted with some sort of rust-preventative black paint.

It doesn't come off easily, clogs regular abrasives like you wouldn't believe. Most discs just smear it all over and make a mess.

I got some CGW EZ Strip wheels, and those work way better than a standard sanding disc or grinding stone.

Problem is, they don't work great on the ID of the pipe. I'm spending more time than I should be just removing paint for weld prep.

I'm not a full time pipefitter, so I keep thinking there's got to be some kind of tool or abrasive that the full time fitters use to strip paint. These guys need to move quick so their solution is probably way better than mine.

I have a good selection of angle grinders and die grinders, electric and air.

Any good ideas?

 

[Alaniho]

This Pferd wheel mounted on a spindle and similar are ideal for stripping paint, rust etc and not damaging the material underneath. This type of product can be got in different sizes for a die grinder to reach the pipe ID. 3M also offer a similar range. The Pferd have a USA site too.

https://www.pferd.com/int-en/produc...lzy-type-black/pclzy-type-black/pclzy-7526-6/

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EOEKLF6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

https://www.nortonabrasives.com/en-...orton-blaze-rapid-strip-paint-coating-removal

 

[MattDanger]

Have you tried using a solvent to strip it?

 

[bimmer1980]

I would second the idea of using a good paint stripper to take the bulk of it off. Then you just have a thin residue if any to grind off...

I have been using some from Lowes that has worked well.... can't remember the brand at the moment...

Just be sure to glove up when using the stripper, it will burn.

 

[dr_clyde]

I'm not sure I want to be dealing with stripping chemicals at a customer's facility. Sounds messy, and there's all kinds of chemical compliance and safety **** to deal with.

But yeah, it probably would work well.

I'm really hoping to find a mechanical solution.

 

[MoonRise]

Paint? And don't want to remove metal?

Coarse knotted wire wheel. Spin it/them with the desired tools, done. Wear a full face shield, wires always seem to come off. I've usually had better results (no clogging or abrasive getting gummed up) with a knotted wire brush than an abrasive. The abrasives always seem to wear out way faster than a wire brush.

not a pipefitter btw.

 

[Ign]

Paint? And don't want to remove metal?

Coarse knotted wire wheel. Spin it/them with the desired tools, done. Wear a full face shield, wires always seem to come off. I've usually had better results (no clogging or abrasive getting gummed up) with a knotted wire brush than an abrasive. The abrasives always seem to wear out way faster than a wire brush.

not a pipefitter btw.

I suspect the stuff he's talking about will mostly just smear w a wire brush, rpm or surface speed be damned

 

[Eric29]

I’ve used these to remove rust. They are very effective

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01B8GQ0BW/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[scooby074]

ID: Carbide burrs or sandpaper rolls are the old school way to do it.

You can also make your own "flap wheel" style with some emery paper and a piece of 1/4 round stock. Split the roundstock with a hacksaw a inch or so on one end and insert the emery paper, use it in a die grinder.

New school would be the non-woven abrasive "stripper" wheels mentioned in the other posts. They work good. 3M makes some good ones.

 

[Finky198]

I’ve used these to remove rust. They are very effective

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01B8GQ0BW/?tag=atomicindus08-20

ID: Carbide burrs or sandpaper rolls are the old school way to do it.

New school would be the non-woven abrasive "stripper" wheels mentioned in the other posts. They work good. 3M makes some good ones.

I agree with all of the above... I buy all of the supplies for our shop. Over the years I’ve learned. The 3M stuff is truly leaps and bounds better then the rest. And their expensive because of that. I look for deals, on eBay they run about a dolllar a piece for 3m 2” Roloc disc.

For that type of work I stock 1/2”, 1”, 2”, 3”, flap wheel on 1/4 shafts in corse and fine. Also keep wire wheels in 1”, 2”, 3” same style, carbide burrs, As well as rolocs in a few styles sandpaper and the non woven type mentioned above and beyond...

The non woven Strip Discs in any format are by far the best for thick coating removal.
They will do the job without clogging or excess heat.