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- Jan 14, 2015
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as i have been asked how to do this based on a picture of my BM 940, i thought i might post a quick summary.
disclaimer: note that the chemicals involved are hazardous to your health and that i am not responsible for any injury or damage done to you or your items.
also i do not claim to have discovered or invented this in any way, i'm just writing a short application guide.
items you need:
- drain cleaner containing Natriumhydroxid/caustic soda/sodium hydroxide (NOT chloride, this will not work for aluminium), this is usually the case with the ones in powder/grain form, the fluid ones usually contain chloride.
- a plastic bowl large enough to contain the items to de-anodize fully submerged (and able to withstand getting warm/hot)
- a second bowl with clean water
- a plastic spoon or something to scoop the pieces out of the solution
- protective gear, breather, safety goggles and gloves
only do this outside and don't breath the fumes or get them in your eyes!!! Also don't get this on your skin!
1. add some drain cleaner into the plastic bowl containing warm water. you don't need that much, i used a large spoon in about 1 liter of water.
2. let the solution react, it will fizzle and heat the water and produce the fumes.
3. simply drop the items into the solution. don't leave the in too long, you can also drop them back in. i started checking at 30 seconds. if you leave them in too long you can damage the substance of the aluminium permanently.
4. check whether the colour can be removed, it should rub off easily, note that the recesses and corner might take a bit longer.
5. rinse the items off or drop the in the second bowl,
6. wipe off the elox residue, it should come off rather easily.
the aluminium will reform a natural oxide layer over time. while not as durable as the elox, it will basically protect the item.
disclaimer: note that the chemicals involved are hazardous to your health and that i am not responsible for any injury or damage done to you or your items.
also i do not claim to have discovered or invented this in any way, i'm just writing a short application guide.
items you need:
- drain cleaner containing Natriumhydroxid/caustic soda/sodium hydroxide (NOT chloride, this will not work for aluminium), this is usually the case with the ones in powder/grain form, the fluid ones usually contain chloride.
- a plastic bowl large enough to contain the items to de-anodize fully submerged (and able to withstand getting warm/hot)
- a second bowl with clean water
- a plastic spoon or something to scoop the pieces out of the solution
- protective gear, breather, safety goggles and gloves
only do this outside and don't breath the fumes or get them in your eyes!!! Also don't get this on your skin!
1. add some drain cleaner into the plastic bowl containing warm water. you don't need that much, i used a large spoon in about 1 liter of water.
2. let the solution react, it will fizzle and heat the water and produce the fumes.
3. simply drop the items into the solution. don't leave the in too long, you can also drop them back in. i started checking at 30 seconds. if you leave them in too long you can damage the substance of the aluminium permanently.
4. check whether the colour can be removed, it should rub off easily, note that the recesses and corner might take a bit longer.
5. rinse the items off or drop the in the second bowl,
6. wipe off the elox residue, it should come off rather easily.
the aluminium will reform a natural oxide layer over time. while not as durable as the elox, it will basically protect the item.