Removing Annodizing

Wilywilly · 02-05-2010, 01:03 PM

A couple of guys have praised using oven cleaner to remove the annodizing on aluminum surfaces. I tried w/o any success. Is there a specific way to do this or is this an urban legend? Thanks,

Bill

hessel1974 · hessel1974's Garage

I removed mine with caustic soda which you use to declog sinks. Add a minimum of 2 layers of this with a brush mixed with little water. Be carefull since this is very toxic. Did the trick on my fuchs's

moneymanager · 02-05-2010, 01:12 PM

Oven Off worked for me but some report it not working for them. 3/4 applications on my Fuchs and a little fine sanding did the trick. Each "coat" needs about 20 minutes to make a dent.

tangerine911S · 02-05-2010, 01:14 PM

I used oven cleaner with great success on the alumium hand controls on my motorcycle. Removed the black anodizing then polished them.

dw1 · 02-05-2010, 01:26 PM

NOT an urban legend, but a commonly used way to remove the anodizing from Fuchs rims prior to polishing.

The trick is to use the right kind of oven cleaner. Most won't work. The Easy-Off in the blue can ("Fume Free") won't.

The Easy-Off in the yellow can ("Heavy Duty") certainly will, and that's what I used.

aj88cab · aj88cab's Garage

Or you could go all out and try this anodize stripper stuff. Scroll all the way down to the list at the bottom and there is an item for just the stripper. A bit more pricy than oven cleaner though.

Caswell Inc. - LCD Aluminum Anodizing Kit

I have not used this stuff. Just found it doing a search on removing chrome.

Fishcop · Fishcop's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by dw1

NOT an urban legend, but a commonly used way to remove the anodizing from Fuchs rims prior to polishing.

The trick is to use the right kind of oven cleaner. Most won't work. The Easy-Off in the blue can ("Fume Free") won't.

The Easy-Off in the yellow can ("Heavy Duty") certainly will, and that's what I used.

Ditto

carrera turbo · 02-05-2010, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dw1

NOT an urban legend, but a commonly used way to remove the anodizing from Fuchs rims prior to polishing.

The trick is to use the right kind of oven cleaner. Most won't work. The Easy-Off in the blue can ("Fume Free") won't.

The Easy-Off in the yellow can ("Heavy Duty") certainly will, and that's what I used.

Yep the yellow can

when i was 13-14 years old i was cleaning my bmx bike and it had anodized cranks hubs and wheels i was having no luck with the dish soap i was using so i remember my mom spraying on the easy off and just walking away then wiping it down later. well after 20 mins or so i came back to the bike and it was covered in a blackish goo. when i sprayed it off i was devastated . i worked to summers to build this beauty and only 20 mins to destroy it.
the yellow can KILLS
cheers ed

aigel · aigel's Garage

Anodized aluminum is a thick layer of Aluminum Oxide. Best way to get it off is mechanically, IMHO.

Reading a little online will show that other stuff will do the trick. I'd try Sodium Hydroxide:
Removing anodizing from aluminum

George

AUS911SC3 · AUS911SC3's Garage

Oven cleaner will only ever remove a thin superficial layer, it may look as though it has removed but in reality it hasn't as it relatively thick, It is essentially the protective component for what is quite a soft surface. I had mine fully sand blasted, outers machined, dipped then reanodised. To get the original look and functionality isn't cheap but it's worth it.

tangerine911S · 02-05-2010, 06:45 PM

I believe I used the Easy-Off Hevy Duty also. Got lucky I guess.

88-diamondblue · 02-05-2010, 07:16 PM

Easy-Off Heavy Duty is the one that works. It contains sodium hydroxide, more commonly known as lye. There are drain cleaners that use lye as well and should work. If for some reason you have a clear coat of some type the lye will not effect paint.

herr_oberst · 02-05-2010, 07:17 PM

Speaking of bike parts, I used some Castrol Super Clean on some derailleur parts, and like carrera turbo above, ended up owing a stupid tax (paid to shimano's dura-ace division), for my efforts.

It's easy-peasy to roach aluminum

Fishcop · Fishcop's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by AUS911SC3

Oven cleaner will only ever remove a thin superficial layer, it may look as though it has removed but in reality it hasn't as it relatively thick, It is essentially the protective component for what is quite a soft surface. I had mine fully sand blasted, outers machined, dipped then reanodised. To get the original look and functionality isn't cheap but it's worth it.

Not trying to be argumentative, but the Easy Off oven cleaner most definitely stripped all four of my fuchs entirely of anodise (two applications). They polished up straight away - so I know the anodise was gone...

I plan to refinish my wheels as you've suggested with new anodising - I'd love to see photos of how they came out and any other advice or recommendations you might have.

Cheers

Jeff Alton · 02-05-2010, 09:52 PM

Yep easy off works, done that. Next time I would take them to my local anodizer who does all of our new wheels and have them strip them for the same price as a couple of cans of Easy off....

Cheers

stormin48061 · 04-18-2013, 05:52 PM

question, i'm trying to get the anodizing removed with yellow can easy off.... i left it on overnight as some suggested, and i have some dark black spots.... did i leave it on too long? it still looks like the anodizing is still on and I've done two applications. how does one know when the anodizing has been removed? i'm ready to go down to my local lab and get some real stuff to try!!! any pics out there

howard freeman · howard freeman's Garage

Don't use the green enviro friendly type. Use the real stuff heavy duty. Green products never work & If they do ,you must use 15 cans to get the same results as 1 can of the real meal deal!!
Howard

proffighter · proffighter's Garage

As I do a lot of anodizing, I can give you following advise:

Remove using 10-15% sodium hydroxide solution. The process is speeding up itself, means the longer the more it acts. To have good control and a flawless result, I highly recommend to use a bath, not adding solution with a brush or so.

If the Aluminum is getting darker (up to black), the reason are alloying elements. There is only one way to remove (within seconds and perfectly):

10% nitric acid.

All these chemicals are dangerous and fast acting, so be very carefull

PS Flush with lots of distilled water after each bath

theiceman · 04-19-2013, 02:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carrera turbo

Yep the yellow can

when i was 13-14 years old i was cleaning my bmx bike and it had anodized cranks hubs and wheels i was having no luck with the dish soap i was using so i remember my mom spraying on the easy off and just walking away then wiping it down later. well after 20 mins or so i came back to the bike and it was covered in a blackish goo. when i sprayed it off i was devastated . i worked to summers to build this beauty and only 20 mins to destroy it.
the yellow can KILLS
cheers ed

Great. Story . Made me smile ..

stormin48061 · 04-19-2013, 09:50 AM

Profighter, are u saying I left the oven cleaner on too long? I sanded some of the black spots with 600 grit water and it seem to remove the spots. How long should I leave the oven cleaner on? I'm on the verge of going down to my friendly lab and getting some sodium hydroxide and now maybe some nitric acid....