Removing anodized colouring

digital_blue · April 8th, 2008, 19:00

I recently got a aluminum PGC slide for my WA. Since the silver version was discontinued, I decided to get the black version. Anyone know how to remove the black anodized coloring? Sandblasting it would a last resort since I don't want to remove the matte finish. Any solvents that would dissolve the black color?

ancorp · April 8th, 2008, 19:05

Try oven cleaner (such as Easy Off), or sandpaper.

...or Google.

ILLusion · April 9th, 2008, 00:40

Just an fyi, any action of removing anodizing off aluminum will pit the surface. I highly doubt that's what you'd want to happen to your $120+ slide... Just keep the black colour.

Realize that the process of anodizing is a chemical process that changes the properties of the metal, and in fact, will harden the anodized surface. If you can find a solution caustic enough to dissolve the anodized coating (such as lye), it would also eat away the interior aluminum in shorter time, hence, the pitting.

MadMax · April 9th, 2008, 00:44

Anodizing is very difficult to remove. The finish is comprised of a dye infused into a very inert and very hard layer of aluminum oxide which is thin but nearly diamond hard and almost as chemically inert as glass.

Your best bet is to sandblast which will leave a matte finish. No solvents would work.

Kos-Mos · April 9th, 2008, 01:20

Easy off (oven cleaner)

It works and does not attack the finish of the anodizing.

A perfect anodizing is the exact same color as the original alluminium.
Colored anodizing (be it black or blue or purple) is some controlled imperfections.

Did it with a lot of RC alluminium parts. No damage, just no more color.

However, any abrasive action WILL damage the part.

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April 8th, 2008, 19:00	#1
digital_blue Trader rating Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: In the sticks	Removing anodized colouring I recently got a aluminum PGC slide for my WA. Since the silver version was discontinued, I decided to get the black version. Anyone know how to remove the black anodized coloring? Sandblasting it would a last resort since I don't want to remove the matte finish. Any solvents that would dissolve the black color?

April 8th, 2008, 19:05	#2
ancorp AK Guru Trader rating Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Vaughan, Ontario (near Toronto)	Try oven cleaner (such as Easy Off), or sandpaper. ...or Google. __________________

April 9th, 2008, 00:40	#3
ILLusion GBB Whisperer Trader rating Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Toronto	Just an fyi, any action of removing anodizing off aluminum will pit the surface. I highly doubt that's what you'd want to happen to your $120+ slide... Just keep the black colour. Realize that the process of anodizing is a chemical process that changes the properties of the metal, and in fact, will harden the anodized surface. If you can find a solution caustic enough to dissolve the anodized coating (such as lye), it would also eat away the interior aluminum in shorter time, hence, the pitting. __________________ *Advanced Airsoft Armaments and Enhancements* Quick to the gun, sure of your grip. Quick to the threat, sure of your shot. Diligentia, Vis, Celeritas Accuracy, Power, Speed Last edited by ILLusion; April 9th, 2008 at 00:44..

April 9th, 2008, 00:44	#4
MadMax Delierious Designer of Dastardly Detonations Trader rating Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: in the dark recesses of some metal chip filled machine shop	Anodizing is very difficult to remove. The finish is comprised of a dye infused into a very inert and very hard layer of aluminum oxide which is thin but nearly diamond hard and almost as chemically inert as glass. Your best bet is to sandblast which will leave a matte finish. No solvents would work. __________________ Want nearly free GBB gas?

April 9th, 2008, 01:20	#5
Kos-Mos Trader rating Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Lévis (QC)	Easy off (oven cleaner) It works and does not attack the finish of the anodizing. A perfect anodizing is the exact same color as the original alluminium. Colored anodizing (be it black or blue or purple) is some controlled imperfections. Did it with a lot of RC alluminium parts. No damage, just no more color. However, any abrasive action WILL damage the part.

Removing anodized colouring

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