Side Panel Stripping

The Aermacchi as it was purchased, with its rusted, brown side panels.

One of the worst eyesores on the bike was the side panels which had been completely rusted out. From what we can surmise by examining the protected screw holes, the original paint seems to have been a textured black. Thanks to its easy removal and its mostly flat surface, the side panels were also one of the first parts we endeavored to re-finish.

The vinegar pickled the paint on our panels.

After removing most of the rust with a heavy duty stripping pad, the panels were soaked overnight in a vinegar bath, less noxious than a chemical remover. While we were expecting the vinegar to obliterate the rust, it also lifted the paint off which was actually to our benefit as we decided to have the panels powder coated in a textured black. 

Before vinegar stripping

After vinegar stripping

Soaking the panels in the acidic solution meant we had to work quickly to remove the last bits of stubborn paint because the panels began to quickly oxidize. They were then oiled for protection for further oxidation, packed up, and shipped out to Texas where they're in the process of being finished.