Tow ball paint removal
Yesterday our Nissan dealer finally fitted the tow bar after weeks of delay with the Nissan deal. I asked the service manager if he could be so kind as to have the paint removed from the tow ball. His answer was that the tow bar is black the whole way through and not painted. I collected the car late, just as they were closing, and by then had forgotten about it. Once home I realised that the Brink tow bar is, contrary to what I was told, well painted. I therefore spent £7 on a can of paint remover which has done absolutely nothing by way of penetrating the paint. My next idea was to try emery paper and little by little I have made a small impression on it. However, my 73 year old hands and wrists are arthritic. Has anyone found an easy way to remove the paint? At this rate I will be spending 20 minutes a day on it for the next several days.
Comments
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I think Emery paper is the best answer if you can persevere. 100 to 120 grit is what Al-Ko recommend. If you have one, wear a leather gardening glove - it will make it easier. Sounds like Nissan have used some pretty good paint! You could also try a different paint remover, obviously the one you have is not the correct solvent for the paint. Try cellulose thinners for example.
Also, if the tow ball is to fit into an Al-Ko ATC hitch, Al-Ko recommend cleaning the ball with break cleaner, Thinners or White Spirit on a regular basis.
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I have a Kia Towball just fitted! I asked the dealership do I require to clean the ball as it is not the black type which requires the paint removed. They didn't know! Anyone out there have a clue!
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Anthena. Can't really see from your photo but it looks like there is some protection on it. Your tow ball must be shiny metal; any paint or other stuff on it will clog up the pads on your stabilizer. So it looks as though a bit of hard work may be required.
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http://www.al-ko.co.uk/pages/how-to-tutorials-2.html
Plese when you log in read it carefully. Brake cleaner is the way to go and nothing else like white spirt etc
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I suggest to go back to the dealer and point out firmly they have supplied something not fit for purpose.
There is also a concern that scraping/dissolving the coating from the ball could put it out of specification. Then the stabiliser would not grip properly - can of worms!
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I left mine painted.
But cleaned up the stabilizer pads afterwards.
One before was plated so no paint to remove, that one in the picture might also be plated.
Selling a towbar with paint on, is fit for the purpose of towing, its only Alko that ask for the paint to be removed.
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A wire brush on a drill to remove the black paint can help protect sore wrists. Then wipe clean with brake cleaner.
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There are inconsistent statements in various Al-Ko manuals and guides. For example, page 18 of the user manual recommends using white spirit or thinners in addition to brake cleaner (link below). However, the How to Guide states that white spirit should not be used!
http://www.al-ko.co.uk/edit/files/handbooks/aks3004handbookdigital.pdf
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I removed the paint on mine by towing our new van foe 100 miles in ignorance of the potential problem. Since our "new" van was a seconhand van I then had it serviced and the hitch head got a clean.
Our latest "new" van hasn't yet had a service and has needed regular brake fluid attention whilst we are touring. When I can buy one of the special screwdriver things needed to dismantle the thing I shall do so. Why isn't one supplied with the van?
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daft question, obviously (from one who doesnt tow...) but whay arent towballs supplied in a usable state.
surely the different 'methods' being employed by various owners negates the apparently 'precise preparation' these modern systems need to work correctly.....balls, pads, electronics etc?
as said above, isnt this a case of not being fit for the intended purpose?
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