Changing Anodized Alm's Color
Thread Starter
|
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,007
Likes: 4
From: Central Florida
Changing Anodized Alm's Color
I have some Blue anodized aluminum parts, is there an easy way to make them Black, Silver or tan? I'd prefer a satin finish and the parts are rather small so sanding would be an extreme pain and I don't have access to a walnut blaster.
I don't think I can parkerize aluminum, but that is the kind of finish I'd like.
I don't think I can parkerize aluminum, but that is the kind of finish I'd like.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 909
Likes: 9
From: San Luis Obispo, CA
Anodizing aluminum is done in three steps.
o An electrochemical process "grows" an porous aluminum oxide layer on the surface.
o A coloring agent is impregnated into the pores.
o A waxy sealer seals in the coloring.
Aluminum oxide is literally saphire - very hard.
Clear anodizing skips the second step.
I have not tried to do what you want to do, but I do not think it would be easy. The whole process is designed to be stable for a long time. I think reversing steps 2 & 3 would be possible, but the chemicals would be too nasty for it to be done "easily". If the process did not work completely, you would have a blotchy looking part.
o An electrochemical process "grows" an porous aluminum oxide layer on the surface.
o A coloring agent is impregnated into the pores.
o A waxy sealer seals in the coloring.
Aluminum oxide is literally saphire - very hard.
Clear anodizing skips the second step.
I have not tried to do what you want to do, but I do not think it would be easy. The whole process is designed to be stable for a long time. I think reversing steps 2 & 3 would be possible, but the chemicals would be too nasty for it to be done "easily". If the process did not work completely, you would have a blotchy looking part.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 909
Likes: 9
From: San Luis Obispo, CA
The oxidized layer is like "swiss cheese" - it has a lot of holes. The color is deep in the holes and the sealer finishes filling the holes. The color & sealer are only mechanically stuck in the holes, but these are VERY small holes, so the stuff will not just wash out easily. I think it would take a pretty active chemical action, probably at high temperature, to effectively remove the sealer & color. Sandpaper would would not get into any inside curves, so only sand-blasting would be effective. You would have to be careful - once the hard layer is gone, sand-blasting would take away the aluminum FAST!
You are correct to worry about paint sticking - the waxy sealer is not something that helps paint bond. You could try to bleach the color and sealer to a lighter shade of blue. Try a strong bleach mixture, but take safety precautions - face shield, rubber gloves, etc.
DISCLAIMER: I have not tried this myself and have my doubts about it.
Next step: Do a google search for reversing anodizing. (Post back what you find.)
You are correct to worry about paint sticking - the waxy sealer is not something that helps paint bond. You could try to bleach the color and sealer to a lighter shade of blue. Try a strong bleach mixture, but take safety precautions - face shield, rubber gloves, etc.
DISCLAIMER: I have not tried this myself and have my doubts about it.
Next step: Do a google search for reversing anodizing. (Post back what you find.)
More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 687
Likes: 1
Here is a finish that has gotten a lot of good reviews recently. This is a finish for
firearms, to camouflage them. There are used on shotguns also I believe, and a
number of them have anodized lightweight receivers.
www.duracoat-finishes.com
Ask them about your specific needs.
firearms, to camouflage them. There are used on shotguns also I believe, and a
number of them have anodized lightweight receivers.
www.duracoat-finishes.com
Ask them about your specific needs.
Thread Starter
|
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,007
Likes: 4
From: Central Florida
I know a little about duracoat, I opted to park my rifle so I haven't tried it yet.
I am almost under the impression, it will be best to just build some kind of fuel rail cover similar to those on LT1 and LS1 chevy motors.
I am almost under the impression, it will be best to just build some kind of fuel rail cover similar to those on LT1 and LS1 chevy motors.
