Anodizing exterior aluminum window trim in Il

[bboseo]

Can anyone point me in the right direction of finding someone that can anodize my exterior aluminum window trim on my 79 930? Brian

[Discseven]

Brian... I had trim---interestingly enough also for '79 930---done in Ft Lauderdale. Dealt with owner of company who likes Porsche. Good guy. Will look up resource if you're interested.

[911pcars]

Since it's only a thin metal coating produced by a chemical process, any anodizer with large racks can do it. You'll want their assurance they share the same expectation.

Many anodizers may refuse because some customers expect the process to hide any metal imperfections. It doesn't. The base metal must be smooth and evenly finished. If not, you'll also have to work with a metal finishing service to arrive at that threshold. Turning the whole job over to one entity will surely involve much higher cost.

Do you know Google search? Try "anodize vehicle trim" and see what turns up, then go from there. One source says King of Trim (CA) provides this service. Prepare yourself with a seat when you call.

Sherwood

[RSTarga]

King of Trim

[Jmorski]

Shaun Budka at Tru6, he's on this forumn

[chapo]

Wasn't there a post about powder coating them to match the silver anodizing?

[bboseo]

Thanks for the information

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by Jmorski

Shaun Budka at Tru6, he's on this forumn

Thanks Jason.

The original frames were first bright dipped and then anodized. The trick to doing window frames is to get every square millimeter to a perfect finish and then having them properly bright dipped and anodized. You have to go from this (and a lot worse)



















To this and then anodized

[Jmorski]

Amazing work, are those mine?

[Shaun @ Tru6]

No, yours will be better shape when I take them to the anodizer. At least that's my plan.

[Puma]

I now have fantasies about my window frames looking that good. Should I dare inquire about the price to do this?

[chapo]

Curious as well. Unfortunately my 1969 frames have been painted black. Are they able to come back? Will powder coat be easier? Can I polish them myself?

[RichardNew]

I already know I can't afford this.

Richard Newton
So What's Up With all This Originality?

[Shaun @ Tru6]

I think 3 things "make" an early 911. Paint obviously but then window frames followed by wheels. To me it's the combination of all three that makes the whole greater than the sum of its parts, visually of course. An MFI motor is a whole other thing.

Patrick, if yours are only painted black, they can certainly be brought back. My guess is the frames were sanded/roughened to accept paint but that's OK depending on who sanded and how. Uneven sanding (either in prep for paint or anodize) will introduce tiger stripes in the final anodize. I got a set of frames that a "professional polisher" started on and he must have tried to remove pits "locally" with a wheel so the frames are wavy like a fun house mirror. Pretty much ruined.

It is expensive to do a set of coupe door frames and quarter window frames (and then there's the door and Q window bright strips, etc. But if you saw the amount of work that goes into yielding top quality results, it's downright cheap. I also replate all metal hardware with clear cadmium. Can't stand the blue clear zinc you get these days.

[RSTarga]

Wow, Shaun, nice work, I did not know you did window frames.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Here's a sample of my most recent anodized window frames using a new polishing technique I developed over the last few months. Pics below are of anodized frame and are finally at true Hagerty 1 level. I am way behind in doing frames but the development was worth the time and effort. My old frames were great but these are on another level. Last piece of the puzzle was fitted today actually.

[kennykimk2]

Shaun,

What is the cost?

Feel free to pm me, if you want.

Thanks

Kenny

[deguitars]

Those look truly amazing and beautiful but are they just clear anodized, not bright dip? The original look was a bit more satin, right? Similar to a Fuch but a bit brighter. I only ask as I am working on a lot of anodized pieces for another project.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by kennykimk2

Shaun,

What is the cost?

Feel free to pm me, if you want.

Thanks

Kenny

PM sent, thanks Kenny

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Thank you! Bright dip is just a chemical polishing process using acids and is basically a poor man's polish. Frames were originally dipped in acid (bright dip) and then clear anodized. The bright dip process is extremely nasty and very few anodizers still use it. I used two that still do and we determined that they would have to alter their acid chemistry to achieve the proper color and clarity enough that it wouldn't be worthwhile for them. Not all bright dip is the same. So I developed some proprietary processes that achieve the same result. Both original and my process use the same clear anodize. It's the polishing that differs.

The color and clarity of my frames are nearly identical to original, showroom floor cars. One PCA concours judge and several older, key players in restoration who knew these cars when they were new have confirmed they are spot on. As Harvey Weidman told me, the bright frames were meant to replace chroming. These are something of a light satin chrome is the best way I can describe them.

Originally Posted by deguitars

Those look truly amazing and beautiful but are they just clear anodized, not bright dip? The original look was a bit more satin, right? Similar to a Fuch but a bit brighter. I only ask as I am working on a lot of anodized pieces for another project.