Any tricks to restoring faded black anodizing?

[techweenie]

I dislike the idea of spraying black paint on the rear grille on my '73, but it's gone all the way through the purple stage to a silver-grey...

Is there any kind of treatment other than reanodizing?

[Joe Bob]

Have you tried Vaseline? They say it works on anodized Fuchs....

[techweenie]

I havent' seven *seen* Vaseline for years. I'll try it... what the heck.

[BGCarrera32]

Yes, take it off and have it reanodized...

[jmohn]

Anodizing, by itself, has no "color", it's a form of protection created by forcing the creation of a particular aluminum oxide on the surface of the part. The "black" that's fading on your car (and a couple places on mine) is paint or, perhaps more properly, a stain; usually these pieces were dipped rather than sprayed, but either is acceptable.

Jerry M
'78 SC

[David E. Clark]

Originally posted by BGCarrera32
Yes, take it off and have it reanodized...

What's the best way to remove the old anodizing?

[IROC]

Originally posted by jmohn
Anodizing, by itself, has no "color", it's a form of protection created by forcing the creation of a particular aluminum oxide on the surface of the part. The "black" that's fading on your car (and a couple places on mine) is paint or, perhaps more properly, a stain; usually these pieces were dipped rather than sprayed, but either is acceptable.

Jerry M
'78 SC

Actually, you can anodize in different colors. Black especially is common.

Mike

[KTL]

Originally posted by David E. Clark
What's the best way to remove the old anodizing?

Deanodizing. It's the reverse process of anodizing. I believe you dip the whole thing in a solution that reverses the anodizing process.

Look in the yellow pages for your local area and you'll be surprised to find how many metal finishing places might be in your area. I was. But I live in a highly populated suburban area outside of Chicago so.......

Or you can use something harsh like a lye solution. Easy-Off oven cleaner is a milder version of this.

[BGCarrera32]

You can anodize in many different colors, by adding dyes and or complimentary metals to the process. You can have the shop doing the plating chemically strip the old stuff off first, and than reanodize. You could also have them hard-coat anodize it, where a thicker and stronger anodizing is done, by cooling the chemical process with a refridgerant system (slowing down the oxidation process.) Make sure you tell them it is going on a car, and that color and uniformity are important to you. Ask to see samples if possible, or find another friend in your area who has had it done. Some shops may be unwilling to mess with your small parts, and be prepared to fork $100 or so for a few pieces.

If you are feeling creative, you could try these guys:

http://www.caswellplating.com/


-BG

[Chuck Moreland]

I love the look of the early metal grille when worn / faded. The patina gives it character, a sense of history. Wear it with pride.

[jmohn]

Originally posted by BGCarrera32
You can anodize in many different colors, by adding dyes and or complimentary metals to the process. You can have the shop doing the plating chemically strip the old stuff off first, and than reanodize. You could also have them hard-coat anodize it, where a thicker and stronger anodizing is done, by cooling the chemical process with a refridgerant system (slowing down the oxidation process.) Make sure you tell them it is going on a car, and that color and uniformity are important to you. Ask to see samples if possible, or find another friend in your area who has had it done. Some shops may be unwilling to mess with your small parts, and be prepared to fork $100 or so for a few pieces.

If you are feeling creative, you could try these guys:

http://www.caswellplating.com/


-BG

Quite right, almost any color is possible, but, correct me if I'm wrong, but the anodizing is done first then, if you want color, the piece is dipped in stain or dye. So couldn't you re-dye the, already anodized, piece? Or does the loss of color mean the anodizing is also lost?

Jerry M
'78 SC

[BGCarrera32]

Well, I always thought that you added dye pellets to the solution itself at the time of anodizing, but you may be correct. Perhaps they anodize, dye, and then seal it...

[jmohn]

If it is possible to just re-dye, it would certainly make refurbishing some of these trim pieces easier.

Jerry M
'78 SC

[BGCarrera32]

Yup, I'd be interested in knowing...

[island911]

Originally posted by jmohn
. . the anodizing is done first then, if you want color, the piece is dipped in stain or dye. So couldn't you re-dye the, already anodized, piece? .. .

I do believe he is right.

Try the Rit-Dye trick. That stuff is amazing. It will find it's way even deep in between plastic molecules! Considering how porous anodize is, it should be easy.

[techweenie]

Wow! That is one amazing trick (the knobs).

I bet it'll work on the grille.

I don't mind the faded-pewter color, but a P.O. had a couple of badges on the grille and they left shadows...

[nostatic]

What, no one else uses a Sharpie pen (permanent marker)? Works great for sunroof felt too...

[GSpreeman]

That's the trick Todd. Works for me and costs about 1/100th.

[island911]

I've seen the Sharpie pen trick on lug-nuts. It kinda looks "off" IMO. . .kinda slightly purple-ish.

Though, maybe that was Magic Marker. (?)

[fogcity]

Techweenie - where the Hell do you keep all those cars?