[nostromo]

Hello everyone,
I would like to know how can I remove UV-coating of beverage can?
I'm a plastic modeler and I need the aluminum sheet to make some parts
for my models. Sanding method is not an option for me because it damages
aluminum and I need to polish it and that involves great deal of effort not to
ruin the sheet for further usage. So that asks for some kind of solvent to remove the coating. I read somewhere that chloroform could be the solution
for me and I wonder if that is true. Also, could it be that formic acid may remove it?

[fledarmus]

Isn't it cheaper just to buy the aluminum sheet? You can get rolls of aluminum flashing at just about any hardware store much cheaper than the solvents you are thinking about, and with almost none of the toxicity.

[nostromo]

My friend thank you for your answer, but haven't you thought that in my country that is not available? Why would I even bother removing this coating
with some possible dangerous liquid or whatever if I had an option of buying
aluminum sheets at local hardware store? 

[billnotgatez]

I am confused
If you are going to polish the aluminum anyway, why not just polish off the coating???
I am thinking of stuff like Brasso
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brasso
Although it does not mention it in the WIKI that you can use it for aluminum.
But, silica or kaolin or quartz powder plus a little rubbing should do the trick


the stuff below I just found as tricks for other kinds of removals

Stained Tub

Combine equal amounts of cream of tartar and baking soda with enough lemon juice to make a paste. Rub the mixture into the stain with your fingers or a soft cloth. Let sit for a half hour, then rinse well with water.

Scuffed Linoleum

Rub the spot with white toothpaste and a dry cloth or with an eraser. Or spray WD-40 on a towel and rub lightly, making sure to degrease the area afterward with liquid dishwashing soap and water.

[nostromo]

I am confused
If you are going to polish the aluminum anyway, why not just polish off the coating???

Thank you for your answer. No I don't want to polish the aluminum sheet.
I need it as is but without the coating and that's why I need something to remove the coating without using abrasive methods.

[Stepan]

OK, I will try a few solvents tomorrow.

[Stepan]

I tried Methanol, Toluene, Dichloromethane, and Acetone. Nothing works. Try gentle burning at 400C. Should work.

[Arkcon]

Try gentle burning at 400C. Should work.

See, I wonder about that.  As I recall, the paint on the outside of an aluminum can is an enamel baked on at 800 C (The issue comes up whenever the topic of Beer Can Chicken is mentioned -- people worry about the paint on the can when its placed in the oven or grill)  So I don't think modest heat will work.  And given it was a baked on enamel, I wonder if any solvent would have worked.

[billnotgatez]

Is the original post asking to remover the outer paint coat or the inner plastic coat?

[nostromo]

Is the original post asking to remover the outer paint coat or the inner plastic coat?

At least one side will suffice but I believe that the outer side would go
easier than inner.

[Enthalpy]

...the paint on the outside of an aluminum can is an enamel baked on at 800 C

I doubt the 800°C, as aluminium would melt before. Each time I put an aluminium can in a fire, the paint burned away, leaving a dirty aluminium surface.

These paints also withstand prolonged Sunlight exposition, an argument against most plastics.

Paints would have to be seriously inert plastics to withstand sodas for years without polluting them. Try lime? It corrodes aluminium but slowly.

With access to technology I would try a thermal paint stripper (blows heated air to remove paint from walls).

[billnotgatez]

Well there are others on the internet discussing the same thing
http://cr4.globalspec.com/thread/46025/Removing-Plastic-Liners-from-Aluminum-Soda-Cans

the below link is put here because when I googled
what is the plastic liner in a soda can
it was at the top of the list and there are lots of entries on for the google

http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/experiment/can-ripper