Aluminum Sign Prep for Patches

[thull]

What are people using to prep repurposed aluminum road signs for making hull patches? Specifically, how to remove the paint and decals on the sign so the 5200 will bond to nice shiny metal? Wire wheel and flap disc or some type of stripper?

 

[Scott Danforth]

road signs are a good source of 5052 (marine aluminum)

to get the paint off, I would probably put 80 grit pad on the DA

 

[Watermann]

The material on the road signs comes off surprisingly easy with stripper.

 

[thull]

Well, after 3 rounds of both stripper application and pressure washing they finally came clean. Thanks for the tip!