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How to fix scratched anodizing on architectural aluminum?

2001

How to fix scratched anodizing on architectural aluminum?

We manage nearly 60 commercial properties that have bronze (dark brown) anodized aluminum door systems. Years of use have given them a variety of scratches down to bare aluminum. Short of taking the doors off, removing glass and reanodizing or painting is there a product or process to spot treat the scratches on site to approximate the duranodic brown cololr? Would a metal blackening work? Is it available in a brown tone? The doors vary in age up to 25 years.

Jim Trudeau
Cummings Properties - Woburn, Massachusetts

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If you are doing this with the owners appreciation of the situation, and you don't need to offer a warranty, you have a simple option:

If it were my own garage door, I would touch it up with a magic marker of a similar shade. In fact, touching up with a magic marker is a common factory process at anodizing facilities.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2001

You may want to try chromate conversion coating. Perhaps if you will use concentrated solution for touch ups, you may get a color that's a near match. This solution could produce pale yellow to dark brown tint.

Dado Macapagal
- Toronto, Ont
2001