RADBMX.CO.UK

Technical & Reference Section => Tech and Restoration => Topic started by: bridgecity on January 28, 2008, 04:43 PM

Title: How to remove faded Anodizing.
Post by: bridgecity on January 28, 2008, 04:43 PM

(I didn't find this topic upon searching the tech forum)

How to remove Anodizing from faded parts.

Clarifying what you are working with-
There is candy/translucent paint like you'd see on a Team Mongoose.
There is translucent Powder coating.  When applied over a polished surface powder looks like candy paint.  When applied over brushed aluminum it looks JUST like anodizing.
True Anodized aluminum is done through an electro-chemical dye process, rumor has it that food coloring has been used before.


The following info is purely for responsible adults, always work with an adult before handling dangerous chemicals.
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/q211/m5h5m/Anodize001.jpg)

1- Proper safety.  Caustic Soda/Lye is wickedly dangerous. even the rubber gloves I used started to deteriorate within seconds of contact.
Proper ventilation, eye and skin protection. away from pets/children/etc.

---->>>>WHITE VINEGAR NEUTRALIZES THE REACTION, KEEP LOTS OF IT ON HAND AND QUICKLY ACCESSIBLE!!!!
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/q211/m5h5m/Anodize002.jpg)

2- Add adequate water to your disposable bucket. Add Lye to the water SLOWLY. NEVER add water to lye as it has potential to "explode" in your face.

3- slowly dip the grease free parts.
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/q211/m5h5m/Anodize003.jpg)

4-The red started dissolving immediately.  The blue disolved to a point where the blue was a residue that simply wiped off.
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/q211/m5h5m/Anodize004.jpg)

5-carefully move the parts to your Vinegar bath and let them sit long enough to neutralize any lye on them or in cracks and crevices of the parts.
  I dipped these parts about 15minutes but results will vary depending on mixture strength, anodizing quality, etc.
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/q211/m5h5m/Anodize007.jpg)

6- wash off the parts under water with a disposable rag. 
NOTE: Plastic washers, and chrome pieces were completely untouched by the lye dip.
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/q211/m5h5m/Anodize008.jpg)

7- dump the lye solution in a safe location away from pets/children, etc.

8- dump the leftover VINEGAR into your empty bucket to help neutralize leftover mixture. Dispose of or put the bucket in a safe location away from children/pets.

PS-the active ingredient in oven cleaner is Caustic Soda, but in a lesser concentration.

Title: Re: How to remove faded Anodizing.
Post by: Dingobmxer on January 28, 2008, 06:11 PM

http://www.radbmx.co.uk/forum/index.php'topic=17958.0  :daumenhoch:

 :) DINGO :)

Title: Re: How to remove faded Anodizing.
Post by: Waxintaxin on January 28, 2008, 06:23 PM

save the burned eyes hands clothes pets and use oven pride for anno, easier and safer and works with steel or plastic attached

Rich

Title: Re: How to remove faded Anodizing.
Post by: bridgecity on January 28, 2008, 10:14 PM

ah, it's all in the spelling.  :Great_Britain: We use a Z in the US. :uglystupid2:
Our oven cleaner is too dilluted to do a proper job.
cheers!