The authoritative public forum
  for Metal Finishing since 1989
-----

Refinish clear anodized aluminum extrusions?

Gentlemen,
My company would like to know if it is possible to remove the clear anodizing from bead-blasted aluminum extruded parts. The parts appear not to have been properly cleaned before they were anodized (blotchiness, uneven color, non-consistent lustre).

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Wayne Musselwhite
- Marietta, GA, USA
2005

---

2005

Yes it can be done, but you will lose some of your dimentions because the anodize that you are stripping used half of the total thicknes of the anodize layer from the parent metal. Also the strip will remove some additional material to remove all of the anodize.

Personal opinion! You are equally probably looking at the effect of the glass bead operation. It is very difficult to uniformally blast a part which gives an uneven surface on the aluminum and the anodize highlites all of the flaws.

Unless cosmetics was in the purchase order, It is really hard to fault the anodizer. (He would have priced it much higher if it was.)

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida

---

Wayne,
I agree with James. Stripping can be done carefully and with success, but caution must be used. And if the surface apperence is the same after stripping the anodize off,then perhaps you should not fault the anodizer, like James stated, unless cosmetic issues were agreed upon beforehand.
One last thing. It takes a real skilled hand to create a uniform surface when bead-blasting. I feel the automated bead-blaster is the only way to ensure uniform looking parts. I'm sure most would agree.
Good Luck!

Michael Null
Anodizor, Plater, - Methuen, Ma, U.S.A.
2005