Anodize & Paint

[Sam]

Mark,

Contact me and I can send you to my chromic anodizer. Can also give you some tips on metal prep if you need them (doubt you do though!).

Sam

[markb]

email sent.

[kp]

The flat finish on used parts is due to their being re-anodised as the stripping of the old anodise renders the pre treatment finish non-glamorous. A simple polishing after the re-anodising process renders a nice satin finish. New alloy should always anodise well regardless of method

[Sam]

Sulfuric anodizing came out looking wrong. Perhaps it could have been polished.

Chromic anodizing of the same part with the same level of polish prior to anodizing came out perfect.

Very different results.

[kp]

Hi Sam
Mate I wasn't disputing anything you wrote My post was to tell those that had a dull outcome on their anodising that all is not lost. Simply polish your dull finish and a good outcome should be the result. The better method you wrote about is great news for everyone and I would like you to post which company you use. I've just had a bunch of anodising done by a long established firm. The new items came out superb but the used items were as dull as a Mills and Boon novel.
Mark, I've sent you a few items and I think you will be happy with the finish
KP

[Sam]

KP,

Totally understand. Wasn't offended at all; was just trying to clarify my experience. I'll try polishing my next batch of sulfur anodized parts. I appreciate your advice.

Here's a pic of my results. The master cylinder and right controls were chromic anodized. The left control is NOS.





Happy to share the company that did these for me:

Sanford Metal Processing
990 OBrien Dr
Menlo Park CA 94025
United States
+1 (650) 327-5172

I gave them polished parts.

[Steve Swan]

Very nice !

[markb]

Mark, I've sent you a few items and I think you will be happy with the finish

Thanks, I got them. 

[toycollector10]

I've found a company in New Zealand who will do the chromic for me. They are a high-tech aviation business so I was surprised they have agreed to do it. I'm sure they will polish the parts if it needs to be done as they have a huge reputation in the industry as surface treatment experts. Note that I have used a product called Rub 'N Buff Mandarin to highlight the red text on the controls. What is the correct color/paint? I'll post up "after" pictures when I get them done. The biggest worry for me is how to get all the wires back in correctly so that when I indicate left I don't go onto high beam or kill the engine 

[toycollector10]

My Chomic Anodized parts are back. They look pretty good in normal light but in bright light the color is black with a grey hue. The came as matt black and I just put a mop on a drill lightly on them to put a bit of a shine on.