Removing paint from track ends - best way?

[sbornia]

Howdy -

In order to slide the rear wheel axle into the track ends of my new (cheap) fixed gear frame, I believe I need to remove a little bit of the paint inside the ends. What would be be right grade of sandpaper to do this? Or should I not bother and just apply more force, gently, to the wheel?

Thanks!

[Peter P.]

I'd measure the slot first and compare it to the axle. Measure the slot at a few points to verify it isn't bent "closed" at the open end.

If all is okay, always start with a finer grade of paper to test. If you get little, no, or slow results, move to a coarser grade. That way you're less likely to leave deep scratches-in a surface that's going to get scratched anyway!

220 -150 grade, wrapped around the blade of a file, should do the trick. You can always return to the finer grades after the paint is gone to leave a fine finish.

[sbornia]

Thanks, it turns out to have been pretty easy. I just used a light grade to take away a very little bit, then the axle popped right in. Complete bike pix early next week!