how to chemically remove hard anodizing from aluminum?

powernoodle

powernoodle

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A while back I used a dremel to remove the anodizing from a Leatherman Juice XE6. I'd like to try a chemical remover the next time. I've heard that maybe hydrogen peroxide or sodium hydroxide (Drano, Oven Cleaner) might do the trick.

Any ideas?

thanks

juice2.jpg
 
nitric acid should do it. Google home anodizing, what ever they recommend to prepare the Al for the bath will work. The dye is usually nothing more than simple fabric type dyes under the oxidation layer.


-Xander
 
Good luck, I would be willing to bet that the nitric will react aggressively with the aluminum while leaving the oxide untouched, at least until the nitric undecuts the aluminum and displaces it. Aluminum oxide is almost chemically inert, it takes salt bath electrolysis to refine aluminum from its natural (aluminum oxide) state

Oh BTW nitric is nothing to mess with, good ventilation and Protective gear is imperative

-Page
 
That's right .Al can be attacked by both acids and alkalin solutions Al2O3 just sits there .The oxide is porous , filled with wax which is dyed.Once you got rid of the wax perhaps the solution would then get down into the piece and loosen the oxide .Never tried it ,have fun.
 
Blasting will work - take it apart, mask off the pivot areas & take it to a paint shop - It won't cost much & they will get a kick out of something different.
 
I've read in the past that caustic soda works (NaOH), no first-hand experience though....

Cheers Rody
 
Easy Off oven cleaner works just fine.
Keep an eye on it, so it doesn't ruin the finish.
 
Hard anodized pots and pans can't be washed in the dishwasher 'cause the caustics in the automatic dishwashing powders and liquids will take the hard anodizing off the aluminum.
 
oven cleaner
 
Sodium hydroxide (drain cleaner, oven cleaner, lye) dissolved in water eats anodizing quick enough, and it is a deal nicer to work with than nitric acid. Use a dilute solution and wear protective gloves and glasses.
 
In the way back machine I used the old school caustic oven cleaner to remove regular anodizing. Like others said, clean well of all waxes and oils and then apply. Not sure if it'd work on thick hard anodizing, tho.
 
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