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Black anodized aluminum- is refinishing possible?

I am in the process of restoring a 1970 GTO convertible with an optional Formula steering wheel. This wheel is a flat three-spoke design, constructed of brushed, black-anodized aluminum. With age, the finish has deteriorated due to sunlight exposure as well as wear from handling. I would like to refinish the entire metal content of this wheel, but can a surface that has already been anodized be re-anodized and hardcoated? If so, what (if any) mechanical or chemical stripping/surface preparation must precede such re-anodizing? If mechanical removal of the existing anodized coating is required, what depth does such a finish generally extend to?

Thomas J. Hartman
1998

Thomas,

Any anodized surface can be stripped and re-anodized. It would be much easier to strip it in stripping solution rather than machining it off.

Hardcoat is more abrasion resistant than regular anodize, the coating thickness is normally .002, thats .001 penetration.

As far as the surface finish, what you give is what you get back, anodizing does not cover scratches or change the surface appearance. Hardcoat does give a darker undertone when doing colors other than black.

Betsy Hairston
Roanoke, Virginia
2001