New Tow Ball (paint removal)

[Phil_374243344]

Advice required, what is the best method to remove the paint from a new Alko tow ball??

 

[Damian]

Phil, a medium wet or dry paper, followed by a good clean with brake cleaner, white spirit or meths.

 

[Phil_374243344]

Thanks Damian

 

[WatsonJohnG]

I use the sponge filled sanding blocks

 

[GeorgeB]

Phil,

As my company car gets changed every 3 to 4 months (because of the high mileage I do) I'm forever cleaning the paint off the tow ball on each new car, I adopt either of these two methods:

1.If the ball is a demountable one, I take it off & clean the paint off with the wire brush wheel on a bench mounted grinder.

2. If the ball is fixed (bolted on) I treat the ball head with paint stripper.

Both methods save a lot of hard work!

When cleaned of paint I wrap the ball head with cling film & then put on the ball cover, that way saves an awful lot of pre cleaning the ball before hitching up with the Alko 3004 built in stabaliser, just usually need to blast the ball with some clutch & brake cleaner spray.

 

[Phil_374243344]

Cheers guys great tips

 

[Andy_374346145]

Hi

Could someone tell me why you have to 'clean the paint off' (new to caravanning and got a new towbar) no-one told me that.

Thanks

Andy

 

[Damian]

Andy, if your van has the Al-Ko type stabiliser, with the friction pads built into the hitch head, then you have to clean the paint off the towball to make sure you do not contaminate the pads, and render them useless for their job.

It is also important each time you hitch up to ensure the ball is free of rust or oil, usually a wipe over with wet or dry , or a nylon pan scourer followed by a clean with brake cleaner is all that is needed.

Never apply grease to the towball if you have the friction hitch coupling.