Anodizing preparation

J

John L

Joined
Oct 28, 2004
Messages
1,330
What is the proper preparation prior to anodizing for titanium? I have been getting splotchy results lately.
 
I usually bead blast the hell out of my clips and liners before anodizing them but I have found that bead blasting changes the color you'll get just a bit. Instead of brass color it will be more gold for example. Also the colors are not so bright after bead blasting but more subdued which I happen to prefer.

I think a lot of the guys buy a hot pot and heat up the multi etch and soak the ti in it for a few seconds before anodizing. This is good for nice bright color. I've used it but to be honest with you I'll have that gallon I bought forever before I use it all up. I know a lot of them use Windex to clean the ti up right before dipping to anodize.

I got my etch from reactivemetals. http://www.reactivemetals.com/Pages/rmsmini.htm

I think they may have some info on how to there somewhere also.

STR
 
Squeaky clean is the order of the day.
Blasting it will make it clean metal, until you put a fingerprint on it.
The cleanest I've ever gotten metals in the lab were with Ivory flakes or bar soap in distilled water, followed by a distilled water rinse, then 190+ proof grain (not the denatured crap) alcohol to remove the residual water.
There will be no oils or film left...
 
I rarely get any bad results now from mine. Here's my method:

1. wash thouroughly with dish soap and hot water.
2. spray with windex and wipe dry with paper towels.

### DO NOT touch with bare hands after this step! ###

3. Handle with paper towels when attaching to the hook.

4. Lower into the electrolyte and then turn on unit.

:thumbup: :thumbup:
 
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