So I've been looking into anodizing for the past several hours and came across some DIY techniques, some previously posted here, some not. I plan on givin it a shot this afternoon with some old aluminum pieces like the barrel of a paintball gun. I'll definately repost as to how it comes out and what I end up anodizing on my bike.

 

I had a really good how to on it a while ago, I wish I could find it again

 

Moved to General Tech. How To is for posts with... um, How To

 

What ever happened to this?

 

haha sorry man. forgot to update. the process worked ... but with too much trial and error. it ended up becoming too much of an expense to continue. Had gotten the exact colors we wanted a few times and tried to perfect it, but ran into problems like to much dyed water boiling out and creating dye rings on the pieces and also the "setting" bath removing the dye (exactly the opposite of what it was supposed to do according to the directions). I may try again at a later date once i have a steady income. Once i can figure out the best temperatures and such for all the different baths, water:acid ratio, and other factors, I will write a fully detailed how to and try to eliminate as many "gray areas" as possible.

 

After I read your reply, I went and did a little digging of my own on the net. Seems the general consensus that when the color doesn't stick, the anode (or cathode... the negative side...always get them backwards) wasn't pure. One guy said to use 6061 (I think that's what it was) aluminum. Other thing the guy said was a solid 10amps supply is needed (he used a big battery charger on 10amp setting).

Just some info. I'm really tempted to try it since all the placed in Phoenix want a minimum of $150-$200 to do anything.

 

I've been trying to anno for the past few days and I cannot get the dye to stick at all.. My cathode is made out of an aluminum sheet I got at menards so Im assuming/hopeing thats pure enough. Also my battery charger says its a 6 amp so maybe its to small? Ive left the pieces in there as long as 2 hours and no luck.

 

If you havn't already try caswell.com. They sell and support plating products and they also have a forum. I have their zinc set up and a controller for accurate volts and amps it works pretty well too. They also have a for sale section for used products.

 

yea its not easy to perfect. there a lot of factors that need to be exact in order for this to work. i will probably try it again but not any time soon.