Anyone know of a way to readily remove the anodizing from aluminum without taking it to a specialist? I want to polish the grill inserts on my 66 but the anodizing isn't making it easy
I've had great results with oven cleaner. Use the nasty stuff, though it needs to contain lye. The sissy-fied ones won't cut it. Spread some old newspaper out, lay out your part and give it a good heavy coating, then let it sit for a few minutes, then use fine steel wool to remove anything left. If you have to work up a sweat, you either didn't use strong enough oven cleaner or you didn't let it sit long enough. I've used this stuff to remove all manner of anodizing and it leaves a really nice finish, since most aluminum is polished prior to anodizing.
spray on aircraft stripper works well also. If you have an aircompressor, you can pick up a blast out of a bucket kit for like $25. Then you can blast the anodization off.
Anything with Lye in it will do it. I took the anodization off of a flashlight using the powder and water solution of some toilet bowl cleaner I think. Be very carefull and use thick rubber gloves and goggles.
Kevin
Remember that with the anodization removed, the metal will NOT stay bright for long. Oxidation will soon dull the surface. As in all things, simple chemistry dictates that this will happen; See "Timeless Wisdom" #4.
Oxidation is a form of rust and YES, all but the most resistant metals yield to Mother Nature.
I removed the anodizing from the forks of my old motocrosser, and even though the bike was used several times a week and the fork legs were never polished again, they continued to look good until I sold the bike over a year later. But then again I never took a chemistry class, so I didn't know it couldn't be done. You never know until you try...
SD: I plan on shooting it with a high solids clear after I polish the pieces.
I'll try the oven cleaner first. Can I use a box of Lye and dilute it with water for the same results, possibly better. I've used this solution to strip paint of panels with excellent results but I'm afraid to try it on aluminum.
I think I paid a whopping $4 for the last can of no-name oven cleaner, so I didn't think of mixing my own, but I can promise you won't be disappointed with the results. Also, since only aluminum can be anodized, that's all I've ever used it on with no bad reactions. I would do it in the garage with the door open, since it's a bit odiferous (I love that word!)