Removing Colored Anodized Plating

Avanti · 01-25-2016, 02:45 PM

I have a Nardi Torino steering wheel that has a gold finish on its aluminum spokes which I assumed is an anodized finish.

It is worn in places exposing the silver colored aluminum so I expect it can be removed.

What would be the best way to remove this?

uwanna · 01-25-2016, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avanti

I have a Nardi Torino steering wheel that has a gold finish on its aluminum spokes which I assumed is an anodized finish.

It is worn in places exposing the silver colored aluminum so I expect it can be removed.

What would be the best way to remove this?

Easy peasy! Get a spray can of EZ OFF oven cleaner. Spray it on, wait a bit and wipe it off.
The "gold" will come off "slick as snot".
When my kids were young and riding BMX bikes, most came with blue or red anodized
pedals, hand brakes etc. They had to be "custom" so they removed the color with EZ OFF. It REALLY works!

Trackrash · Trackrash's Garage

Make sure it is the "Heavy Duty" EZ Off.

Mick_D · 01-25-2016, 05:07 PM

AND be prepared for a lot of rubbing and polishing to get the shine back onto your aluminum. It will be milky-white after the lye does its job.

uwanna · 01-25-2016, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mick_D

AND be prepared for a lot of rubbing and polishing to get the shine back onto your aluminum. It will be milky-white after the lye does its job.

Done it many times, just get a tube of a good aluminum polish and a can of NEVR DULL
wadding. Hit it with the polish first then use the NEVR DULL to finish it off. Takes very little time to get a great shine back.

Avanti · 01-29-2016, 07:30 PM

Thanks for the additional suggestions. The Easy Off did not work but thanks. Had better luck with some metal polish and #0000 steel wool but still can't get it all off. Will try the NEVR DULL too but considering wet-sanding with 3000.

Trackrash · Trackrash's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avanti

Thanks for the additional suggestions. The Easy Off did not work but thanks. Had better luck with some metal polish and #0000 steel wool but still can't get it all off. Will try the NEVR DULL too but considering wet-sanding with 3000.

Did you use the Heavy Duty EZ Off in the yellow can? The other stuff will not work.

Jim2 · Jim2's Garage

Heavy Duty EZ Off in the yellow plastic spray bottle. May take a couple applications.

blucille · 01-30-2016, 01:17 PM

Otherwise use the super caustic heavy duty greases and hair dissolving drain cleaner.

This is the type typically sold in a nasty looking black bottle encased in a heavy zip lock bag at the big hardware stores.

This will remove the anodize. It will also cause immediate blindness if it gets in your eyes. Massive amounts of caution are required. But it works.

McLovin · 01-30-2016, 01:34 PM

I've removed a lot of anodize.

This works best, guaranteed to remove any anodizing, in one application:

No lye

Mick_D · 01-30-2016, 01:36 PM

Use Aircraft Stripper. Let it sit for 10 minutes. Then use a pressure washer to clean it off.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avanti

Thanks for the additional suggestions. The Easy Off did not work but thanks. Had better luck with some metal polish and #0000 steel wool but still can't get it all off. Will try the NEVR DULL too but considering wet-sanding with 3000.