Anodizing Aluminum

[Rick]

I was looking at anodizing as a possible replacement to polishing on my Dog. Didnt know how anodizing worked or waht was available so used tried and true Google.

Found this site showing you how to do anodizing at home. Pretty coll stuuf! With all the aluminum we have on our bikes I figure someone could get pretty creative with this.

http://www.focuser.com/atm/anodize/anodize.html



R

 

[05chop]

WHATS your next move? Looks like a good idea?

 

[Rick]

Well I just sent an e-mail to the guy that wrote the article on the link. I asked him if i can anodize in clear adn hold a polished finish. If he comes back with a yes I am going to test it on a couple pieces of polished alum stock and see how it comes out. From there the Dog gets dipped.

 

[05chop]

Kwell. Keep us posted! Thats a great idea! Lite blub in my head just went off. 05chop

 

[Rick]

I thought so as well. My uncle is a machinist and he recommended doing it to keep from having to poliosh the alum all the time. I didnt know it was something you could do at home. I will post here when I hear back from the guy. Found a forum also of a bunch of guys that do this at home may ask some questions there as well

 

[slowrower]

The downside

Great idea Rick, just remember once anodized you can't get the part chromed easily.

I would test a part to see if it fades in the sun, I build aluminum rigging and out in the sun the anodizing will fade pretty bad over time - black turns gold and gets lighter and lighter. Be sure to clean the part real well with acetone and you may need to wet sand a bit as the parts on our dogs are highly polished and to get anodizing to penetrate the aluminum it needs to be dulled up a bit.

What color are you thinking? good luck Rick

 

[Rick]

I don't want to do color. I was hoping this process would work with polished alum, and hold the finish after anodizing. Basically a clear anodize. Any one know if thats possible?

 

[Rick]

I heard back from the guy that wrote the article I originally posted. Clear anodizing still leaves a pale yellow grey color on polished parts. So that idea is out for an optiont to replace polishing adn harden up the alum. Color anodizing is a great option for anyone wanting that type of custom look. If anyone tries the home anodizing please psot some pic os your work, could catch on.

 

[go4dave]

That's a great website,, and the guy has a ton of insite. It would be fun, just to gain the knowledge and experience. :up:

 

[lee]

looks good - go for it - can it be reversed?

 

[Tim]

looks good - go for it - can it be reversed?

I don't believe in can be reversed. The color gets into the pores of the aluminum.

Plating Kits Electroplating Kits Aluminum Anodizing Kits Powder Coating Systems Metal Polishing And Buffing Supplies - Caswell Inc.

 

[bdmridgeback]

I used to use EASY-OFF Oven Cleaner (Yellow Can Only) to strip anodizing from R/C Car parts. They come from the factory blue anodized, we would spray them down and wrap them in plastic. Open it up about every 10 minutes and after about 30 minutes it would be raw, silver aluminum. Some harder, higher end aluminum doesn't strip as easy and takes alot longer, but works.

 

[Tim]

Learned something new, thanks. :up:

 

[ezrizer]

A few notes for those who are considering anodizing, cast aluminum will anodize and will be protected from the elements but will not take color very well. Highly polished (chrome like without scratches) billet peices will provide the best finish. Also, I didn't see anything in the article about "bright dipping". This is a process that chemically brightens the piece after polishing and before anodizing. It will help overcome the dulling that occurs when the part is anodized. Hope this helps.

 

[WB Cycles]

I used to use EASY-OFF Oven Cleaner (Yellow Can Only) to strip anodizing from R/C Car parts. They come from the factory blue anodized, we would spray them down and wrap them in plastic. Open it up about every 10 minutes and after about 30 minutes it would be raw, silver aluminum. Some harder, higher end aluminum doesn't strip as easy and takes alot longer, but works.

My neighbor was a mechanic for American Airlines and he said they used to buy pallets of EASY-OFF to work on the planes. Said it was great for cleaning the aluminum.

Then someone found out that if you leave it on too long it actually eats into it and weakens the structure. American banned it for use here in Texas a few years ago ( wonder if that stuck? ). I think its a great way for us to clean the parts, but be advised of the time. Some guys like to let stuff sit overnight ...