Raw Raleigh m-trax

[Sunra13]

Hi all,

I recently picked up a raleigh m-trax, which i believe has titanium tubes bonded to steel lugs. I am a big fan of a raw finish and was toying with the idea of rawing then frame and clear coating.

I would like some thoughts on doing this as it is a mix of both steel and titanium ? Will the raw materials looks drastically different after rawing ? has anyone done this before ?

Im aware that rawing this frame might give some folks the heeby jeebies, so apologies in advance

Many thanks!

 

[ibbz]

If you look at @boy"O"boy builds you’ll see how they look as he strips them first
Take a look at his endeavour builds to see how they look

 

[ibbz]

 

[ishaw]

You'd not need to clear coat the ti tubes, or lugs, but the rear end would need some protection or it will rust.

 

[was8v]

wow that looks incredible. Very industrial chic.

 

[averagebiker]

I have a similar frame which I am considering doing the same too. My quandary has always been how to remove the paint without affecting the bonding into the lugs? I think this rules out heat and chemicals? So probably good old hard work with abrasive papers?
Rich

 

[boy"O"boy]

If you look at @boy"O"boy builds you’ll see how they look as he strips them first
Take a look at his endeavour builds to see how they look

Cheers ibbz.

Yep. That's my Endeavour in it's raw state before I etch primed it.
I use Langlow strip away pro (after recommendation from here) - it doesn't effect the bonding. It was only on for 1/2 hr before I washed it off and scraped off the paint. Took a couple of coats though.
A point on the bonded lugs though. I'd always though that they were Aluminium bonded to steel tubes, turns out only the headtube is Aluminium - the rest are steel as they had developed surface rust overnight after washing off the stripper.
I've never lacquered a bare metal frame...interested to see how yours turns out.

Cheers
boy"O"boy

 

[Sunra13]

Thanks for all the info guys! That raw frame looks crazy good, i think my winter project is decided

 

[ibbz]

Thanks for all the info guys! That raw frame looks crazy good, i think my winter project is decided

Nice one ! Keep us up to date with a build thread pls