How I anodize aluminum

[ratyoke]

I've never done it, but I have heard you can anodize titanium with a torch, but its hard to control the colors.

[Cesar]

@ ratyoke- ide imagine it would be a bit easier to control the color if you heated it in an oven...


and ive got to ask, how much would these run a piece?

[bldiener]

Yes I believe you an use a torch if you are skilled

[Major Boothroyd]

Quick question, is it possible to reanodize a blue handle to make it red, or should the anodized layer be removed before doing this?

[ratyoke]

You would have to remove blue anodizing before re anodizing it. The easiest way is to etch it off with sodium hydroxide. It can be found as drain cleaner. You can also sand it off but etching is much easier.

[the sandman]

Those are gorgeous. Really nice!

[chev49]

Excellent post, on a small scale its just about like what the plater down the street does with his big tanks. Thanks, Rick

[Interwoven]

Would it br possible to have 2 different colors? Say if you had half of the metal out of the solution with one color at an angle, then turn it around and use a diff color, or would that disrupt the anodizing process?

[femurat]

Would it br possible to have 2 different colors? Say if you had half of the metal out of the solution with one color at an angle, then turn it around and use a diff color, or would that disrupt the anodizing process?

Yes, it works.
I guess that if you slowly deepen the handle during the process You could also get a gradient!

Cheers

[uklockpicka]

i commented in your work b4 but im gonna do it again lol, they are totally stunning picks the best ive seen, the post on anodisation process will b great help for some1 looking to do it thereself : )

[Darrylportelli]

Hey...First of all REALLY NICE WORK... I do a lot of home made picks but never do handles.. For the anodizing I heard that you can use clothing dye...can it be done because I dont know where to purchase anodizing dye where I live. 10x

[Jaakko]

For the anodizing I heard that you can use clothing dye...can it be done because I dont know where to purchase anodizing dye where I live. 10x

Yes, about any dye works, it is just a matter of finding properly working dye. Buy a couple of alternatives and do a test run to see if the dye rubs off or not

[Darrylportelli]

Ok Ill give clothing dye a go......BTW many of you asked about sulfuric acid...If you cannot find it ask a lab supplies store or chemical house.... school labs go through it by the bucket for chemical analysis(titrations).

[LocksmithArmy]

you can get sulfuric acid from new motorcycle battaries. the charge yourself kind come with a rather large bottle of sulfuric acid... you can fill the battary and still have plenty left over...

[Darrylportelli]

Few questions.... Im about to try this using an off cut piece of aluminium not an actual work so could I just suspednd the part using regular electrical wire instead of aluminium wire(dont have Al wire around and im dying to try this)....in theory it works as long as you have current flowing.
number 2 is cant you just use salt water as the electrolyte instead of sulfuric acid or is there a particular reason for the H2SO4???
cheers