. .
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
  1. #1
    Disclaimer - None of the following is garrenteed to be strictly accurate. However it is garranteed to be extremely harmful to your eyes, fingers and other extremities if you don't take care with chemicals. Take care and don't blame me if it all goes badly wrong.

    the idea was 1st sparked by blackburn mark, when he asked me on the phone (had i ever done any anodising ) and told me about one shot.

    stuff i got and where from:
    1, one shot B&Q £10.35 for 1 ltr
    2, caustic soda £2 and distilled water £1 per 2.5 ltr from asda
    3, http://www.gaterosplating.co.uk/index.php for de-smut and dyes they sell on ebay as well put in anodise not anodize

    well here's where i am up to atm.

    1. mix about 3 table spoons of caustic soda to 1 ltr water. i leave my part in this for about 10 mins, longer if removing old anodise.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	a1.JPG 
Views:	926 
Size:	386.5 KB 
ID:	3694

    here's my setup the bath is 6 ltrs distilled water then added to it the 1 ltr bottle of one shot. allways add acid to water never the other way round.
    there is a peace of sheet lead in the tank that the negative is clipped too, the positive is clipped to the bass bar which my part is hung from using aluminum wire. i am using a 12v battery charger on the fast charge setting.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	a2.JPG 
Views:	1183 
Size:	442.6 KB 
ID:	3695

    here's my part fizzin away :naughty:
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	a3.JPG 
Views:	936 
Size:	345.4 KB 
ID:	3696

    it can be in there for up to an hour, i have found that when the multi meter voltage is fairly stable its cooked.
    (multi meter is clipped too the + and - on the battery charger)
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	a4.JPG 
Views:	1243 
Size:	483.6 KB 
ID:	3697


    now anodised.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	a5.JPG 
Views:	896 
Size:	381.1 KB 
ID:	3698

    first step to dyeing it, let it sit in the dye for up to 10mins for a deep colour. (this is just food colour)
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	a6.JPG 
Views:	5496 
Size:	446.4 KB 
ID:	3701

    then i steamed it for 10 mins
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	a7.JPG 
Views:	3426 
Size:	490.3 KB 
ID:	3700

    this is it after 20 mins of boiling in water to seal it, it did buff up ok.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	a8.JPG 
Views:	1179 
Size:	464.0 KB 
ID:	3699

    here's some other parts i have been playing with.
    part polished
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	DSC_3594.JPG 
Views:	860 
Size:	332.7 KB 
ID:	3702

    anodised and lost its shine :cry:
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	DSC_3596.JPG 
Views:	843 
Size:	466.9 KB 
ID:	3703

    dyed with the red food coloring
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	DSC_3598.JPG 
Views:	1136 
Size:	486.2 KB 
ID:	3704

    the gold part was black so removed the anodise polished it to very shiny re-anodised it.
    used yellow food colour, and it came out still shiny
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	DSC_3599.JPG 
Views:	1149 
Size:	506.7 KB 
ID:	3705

    thanks for reading
    Last edited by h4ppy-chris; 09-02-2011 at 11:43 PM.
    there is no such thing as a stupid question, just stupid answers !!!!

  2. Interesting...isnt experimenting fun... its on my list to try too...

    Think you need to explain the electrical setup... what are you using as electrodes and power supply?

  3. #3
    updated for you mate ;)
    my de-smut and pro dye (blue) came today will post when i have had a play :)
    there is no such thing as a stupid question, just stupid answers !!!!

  4. #4
    Have you tried any of the commercial dye yet? I think you'll find it a lot better.

    One thing I've found with anodising is that you need to clean stuff with distilled water, a LOT. Clean in with normal water, then distilled, then etch it, then clean again with distilled, then anodise in distilled water&acid, then clean in distilled water, then dye (with the dye made up with distilled water), then seal in distilled water.

    If you don't do that I've found you get nasty white deposits on the part.

    Here's the first part I anodised, 2 years ago now

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	DSC02366_small.jpg 
Views:	804 
Size:	471.9 KB 
ID:	3707

  5. #5
    that part looks cool jonathan. i have been using distilled water all the way no tap water at all.
    just got commercial dye today (blue) reds on it's way.
    did you or do you de-smut before anodising?
    there is no such thing as a stupid question, just stupid answers !!!!

  6. #6
    m_c's Avatar
    Lives in East Lothian, United Kingdom. Last Activity: 3 Days Ago Forum Superstar, has done so much to help others, they deserve a medal. Has been a member for 9-10 years. Has a total post count of 2,908. Received thanks 360 times, giving thanks to others 8 times.
    Any chance of a list of suppliers, as this is something I was looking at recently for an upcoming project?

  7. #7
    z3t4's Avatar
    Lives in Manchester, United Kingdom. Last Activity: 27-01-2024 Has been a member for 9-10 years. Has a total post count of 31.
    Quote Originally Posted by m_c View Post
    Any chance of a list of suppliers, as this is something I was looking at recently for an upcoming project?
    ^^ pretty much what he said^^
    I'm collecting the kit to do this. I've found that battery acid is still available from some motorbike shops, that Dylon fabric dye is supposed to work well and that the rest of the stuff, especially nitric acid for de-smut isn't easy to get (LabPak do it but it's expensive).

    Nice thread!

  8. #8
    1st post updated ;)
    just got in from the shed/workshop with some more tests realy happy will post with pics and vids tomorrow.
    thanks.
    there is no such thing as a stupid question, just stupid answers !!!!

  9. #9
    i polished just half of this to see how it turned out.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	DSC_3601.JPG 
Views:	695 
Size:	361.2 KB 
ID:	3739

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	DSC_3600.JPG 
Views:	680 
Size:	450.2 KB 
ID:	3738

    here's the parts anodised.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	DSC_3602.JPG 
Views:	717 
Size:	341.0 KB 
ID:	3730

    dyed for 10 mins.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	DSC_3604.JPG 
Views:	701 
Size:	329.1 KB 
ID:	3734
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	DSC_3606.JPG 
Views:	696 
Size:	297.6 KB 
ID:	3733

    sealed in near boiling distilled water for 20 mins.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	DSC_3607.JPG 
Views:	769 
Size:	568.6 KB 
ID:	3735

    very happy with these test pieces :naughty:
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	DSC_3609.JPG 
Views:	761 
Size:	313.7 KB 
ID:	3737

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	DSC_3608.JPG 
Views:	714 
Size:	355.3 KB 
ID:	3732

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	DSC_3610.JPG 
Views:	725 
Size:	343.7 KB 
ID:	3736

    some not very good vids but hope they help.






    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version. 

Name:	DSC_3605.JPG 
Views:	664 
Size:	304.3 KB 
ID:	3731  
    there is no such thing as a stupid question, just stupid answers !!!!

  10. #10
    SSSSHPLENDID!!! that blue is a winner :)

    turn the power off ??? dont be pretending your all "health n saftey" in front of all these nice people chris, i bet you where sat there watching it fizzzz with a tab in one hand n a tinny in the other:rofl:

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Home is where the part is?
    By HankMcSpank in forum Machine Discussion
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 15-07-2013, 09:58 AM
  2. WANTED: home built cnc
    By japcarmaniac in forum Items Wanted
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 24-04-2013, 02:35 AM
  3. Home Anodising Aluminium and the elusive Sulphuric acid
    By GeorgeD in forum Metalwork Discussion
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 01-02-2013, 03:07 PM
  4. value of home switches
    By engineshed in forum General Electronics
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 04-04-2012, 12:01 AM
  5. Aluminium passivation - for aluminium to be used outside
    By CHudson in forum Metal Finishing Techniques
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 06-04-2011, 09:18 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •