How Do I anodize GREEN!!!

[Chuck Gedraitis Knives]

I have a reactive metals anodizer. I have no problems getting any other color but green. When I try to get green I set the anodizer at 100.I dip in the titanium in the solution of TSP and distilled water and it bubbles like crazy but it comes out grey, almost like it is oxidizing. You can faintly see the green color under it. Am I not leaving it in the solution long enough? Is my solution contaminated? There used to be a whole bunch of tsp settled in the bottom but it seems to have dissolved. Does the stainless cathode need replacing?

Thanks in advance,
Chuck

 

[Frank Niro]

Yes, I believe you must be experiencing some contamination. However, you can eliminate the cathode unless it is all eaten away. Using distilled water will really help, andchanging the solution regularly is another good thing especially since you are having trouble. You should stir the solution before starting to get a good mix of T.S.P. ito solution. You do not need so much it is still settling to the bottom of the container though I don't believe this will create a problem for you.Is your anode a titanium rod or strip? this could be a good thing also. The space between some of the colors isn't great,about 5 volts is all there is.Hope I have helped.Frank Niro

 

[Alan Folts]

I found that the only way to get a really good green is to pre etch the peice of titanium in Reactive Metals Multi Etch. It doesn't do much for low voltage color or some of the high voltage, but for greens i wouldnt skip that step, i can get about 4 shades of green with multietch and without i could maybe get one shade and only every fourth or fith time... If you need any more details just email me, I would be glad to answer your questions, I have the same setup and went through the same problems you are facing, almost exactly..

Alan...

www.warrior.org/foltsknives