Can Aluminum Be Annodized......

[sixty4]

Hi all,, I am making some aluminum underhood parts , panels to be exact. Can these be anodized? If not perhaps powdercoated?
Thanks as always!!!

 

[djjsr]

YES!!! And it works well. I've had tons of aluminum racecar parts that were anodized. Keeps them from oxidizing.

 

[Kevin54]

Aluminum is trhe only thing you can anozize. And yes, it can also be powdercoated. A lot of power tools that have cast aluminum housings are powdercoated. The circular saws are a good example.

 

[Lugg_Nutt]

Aluminum is the only thing you can anozize

not true.

there are anodizing processes for titanium, magnesium, zinc, niobium, and tantalum

 

[KCHOTBOAT]

Yes it can. Powdercoating does hold up alot better however.

 

[engnerdan]

Cast aluminum does not look greatest when anodized.

-Dan

 

[Kevin54]

there are anodizing processes for titanium, magnesium, zinc, niobium, and tantalum

Ok...I retract my original statement. Those other alloys can be anodized but the average person doing anything out of the garage does not usually have materials like that. Maybe titanium. Magnesium is almost a thing of the past due to the hazards and a lot of anodizing places will not even mess with magnesium due to the hazards.

 

[ni[x]it]

There are a bunch of different types of anodize.

Hardcoat Anodize is a chemical conversion of the outer layer of metal that goes 5mm deep (If i recall correctly). It's FAR superior to powder coat and easily pasts the most stringent military environmental tests (salt spray/humidity/galvanization/etc).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anodizing

With that out of the way, Yes, you can have your parts anodized or powder coated. I highly recommend that you do NOT anodize at home unless you plan to properly discard the dirty or unused chemicals. Google DIY anodizing websites and they'll say the same thing.

 

[5wndwcpe]

I had a bottle of niobium once, but I think it expired.

 

[sixty4]

Heres what I am trying to do:

The pieces that are on the left and right of the engine (plenum cover) are Stainless... They are pretty trashed. My thought was an anodizing these and also a center hood insert. I need a place in CT or other that I can send these rather large pieces out to. I am thinking of a Black Chrome but will need to see what else can be done?


Thanks.......

 

[PAToyota]

When you say "trashed" - what exactly do you mean?

Anodizing isn't really a "coating" but a change to the the chemistry of the surface of the material. If you have scratches or scuffs it will show in the anodizing.

Could you just re-polish the pieces? You'd have to anyway if you wanted them anodized.

 

[Kevin54]

If you have scratches or scuffs it will show in the anodizing.

Exactly. If you are looking at a real smooth finish as in the Plenum, you may want to look at powdercoating and not anodizing. There is a multidude of colors available nowadays in powdercoating. I would say that is what the plenum is. Anodize is so thin that ANY scratch even a scotchbrite finish would show through.

 

[PAToyota]

If you are looking at a real smooth finish as in the Plenum, you may want to look at powdercoating and not anodizing.

Even powdercoating will "telegraph" blemishes and scratches... You pretty much want the underlying piece to be perfect before applying coating - short of roofing tar or peanut butter...

 

[TNToy]

I'd definitely go the powdercoating route. But just like getting ready to paint a vehicle, you can't expect it to hide any blemishes. Unlike anodizing, it'll leave the surface perfectly smooth and will hide discolorations, but if you can FEEL it by running your hand over it, you'll be able to see it once it comes back from the powdercoater.

 

[iiibdsiil]

I'd go the powder coating route too. Depending on how trashed they are, they should be able to be made good enough for the powder coat by someone. I know they have things to fill the metal with before powder coating, I think JB weld is one of them. A good powder coater will know what to do.

 

[markl]

Check this site out: http://www.caswellplating.com/kits/ You could possibly anodize the parts your self.

 

[sixty4]

Thanks all! I am actually having the pieces re made out of aluminum, we may powder coat. I will have to see how they turn out.....
Mark..