Anodizing in several splash like coilours

[Frank Niro]

I've seen several titanium folder liners done in multi colours that appear to be "splashed" on. Please explain to me how this is done. Thanks. Frank

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

In jewelry, it is done with heat. Different heat will color the titanium different shades, just like temper colors.

On anodized pieces, I believe it is done by multiple anodizing, with masking of the metal as the voltage is raised. Each successive higher voltage will change the color on the unmasked areas.
So ( not real voltages) - clean and anodize at 6V; clean, mask part of the metal, anodize at 9V; clean, mask of more areas ( including the prior area),anodize at 12V; repeat at 15V.

The same effect might also be attained with a pen-plating type setup used for spot anodizing.

 

[Atlas Knife Company]

Another method for spot anodizing: Reverse your normal leads, clip your titanium to the positive and attach a q-tip to the negative and brush it on. Use a higher voltage and it will become time dependent instead of voltage dependent. I use 9v batteries in series for my power supply, anywhere between 3 and 11 cells. You can literally put drops of electrolyte on the titanium and just barely touch the drop with the q-tip and it will anodize the shape of the drop/splash.

Also, there is Timascus

I think not, otherwise, timascus would appear as one uniform colour.

 

[Frank Niro]

Thank you! Yes, Timascus is usually very beautiful as that one is. Frank

 

[12345678910]

If you do as Stacy suggested by dong small positions then changing voltage.

If you start at the higher voltage and then go down, you won't need to mask off the completed portion.

If you start low and go higher, it will always colour the unmasked portion.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Took a second, but I got you. Any higher voltage color will not change by a lower voltage.

That would be the way to do it with a pen plating/anodizing setup ( like Zaphs Q-tip).

To do the masking, just cover some areas with a sharpie. Anodize on the lowest voltage, cover some more,raise the voltage, etc.