So I anodized my Sebenza Clip

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Jan 16, 2013
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I decided to try and anodize my Sebenza clip today, while I am not unhappy with the results I was hoping to get a deeper blue. I used some 9 Volt batteries and some TSP. Has anyone done this and got a more bright blue color similar to CRK spacers?



IMG_0674.jpg
 
That's way too high. Good idea getting the power supply. Play around with it from 22-27 volts and you should get your desired results. Use distilled water in your TSP solution, not tap water, that will help too.
 
That's awesome, buddy! :thumbup:

What process and steps did you use? I know 9v batteries....... but could you elaborate (like was it a video/tutorial or something along those lines)?
 
That's way too high. Good idea getting the power supply. Play around with it from 22-27 volts and you should get your desired results. Use distilled water in your TSP solution, not tap water, that will help too.

i started off with 3 (27V) but it didn't seem to make it very blue so i added another one. I did use tap water and TSP. Does it matter how much TSP? And i will try with distilled water next time. Thanks for the tips.
 
i started off with 3 (27V) but it didn't seem to make it very blue so i added another one. I did use tap water and TSP. Does it matter how much TSP? And i will try with distilled water next time. Thanks for the tips.
Ah ok, I see. The deep blue you're looking for at low voltage (20-27) is finicky. You need to catch it between purple and blue where it colors evenly to a deep blue before getting bright. It's frustrating, and I anodize stuff pretty often with proper setup. You don't need much TSP at all! Good luck!
 
That's awesome, buddy! :thumbup:

What process and steps did you use? I know 9v batteries....... but could you elaborate (like was it a video/tutorial or something along those lines)?

I just watched some videos on youtube... Like this one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koA6q1Z6eRE

I have actually been looking for things in Titanium to anodize now. Soon as i can find a cheap bench power supply i will have more fun.
 
Use a Volt meter like something from Harbor Freight to determine exactly how much voltage you are putting out.
If you use let's say 24v from a 9v battery rig, you will see that it'll give you slightly different colors depending on the finish.
An orange peel finish vs a polished finish will have a different shade of blue.
Make sure that you are using Titanium or Niobium for the wire and anode in your dip tank.
Steel eats up some of the voltage so does copper (plus they dirty the dip tank) .

How are you prepping the clip? People use multi etch but you can also use "Whink" rust stain remover but it does have HYDROFLOURIC ACID.
Read up on HF, it can be lethal (literally) and you should always take precautions when using it. http://chemistry.harvard.edu/files/chemistry/files/safe_use_of_hf_0.pdf

Here's a reallly nice tutorial for anodizing done by "MODiFiEDZ" Should pretty much answer your questions
[youtube]bKIbp-pFB5k[/youtube]

Keep at it, it's tons of fun.... You will very much surprise yourself :)
 
Use a Volt meter like something from Harbor Freight to determine exactly how much voltage you are putting out.
If you use let's say 24v from a 9v battery rig, you will see that it'll give you slightly different colors depending on the finish.
An orange peel finish vs a polished finish will have a different shade of blue.
Make sure that you are using Titanium or Niobium for the wire and anode in your dip tank.
Steel eats up some of the voltage so does copper (plus they dirty the dip tank) .

How are you prepping the clip? People use multi etch but you can also use "Whink" rust stain remover but it does have HYDROFLOURIC ACID.
Read up on HF, it can be lethal (literally) and you should always take precautions when using it. http://chemistry.harvard.edu/files/chemistry/files/safe_use_of_hf_0.pdf

Here's a reallly nice tutorial for anodizing done by "MODiFiEDZ" Should pretty much answer your questions
[youtube]bKIbp-pFB5k[/youtube]

Keep at it, it's tons of fun.... You will very much surprise yourself :)



Wow, Super helpful.

That setup is very nice. Great video! I am a little worried about using the Hyrdoflouric acid being so dangerous. Kids and pets in the house and all. Ill try and track down some Multi-Etch. Ill have to pick up a titanium plate and stuff and make a nice rig. Is there a good place to get bench power supply for a reasonable price?
 
Wow, Super helpful.

That setup is very nice. Great video! I am a little worried about using the Hyrdoflouric acid being so dangerous. Kids and pets in the house and all. Ill try and track down some Multi-Etch. Ill have to pick up a titanium plate and stuff and make a nice rig. Is there a good place to get bench power supply for a reasonable price?

Cool!, you can pick up the Ti wire and plate on ebay. You really don't need thick wire, I use 1.5mm and the plate I got was 1" by 6"
The power supply you can get here http://www.circuitspecialists.com/benchtop-power-supply-csi12001x.html
I use a 0-34v unit i found at the swap meet (got lucky with that one) because I primarily do only bronzes, purples and blues. For Greens you need 100+ V These guys have different machines depending on what you want to do and what you need.
 
Cool!, you can pick up the Ti wire and plate on ebay. You really don't need thick wire, I use 1.5mm and the plate I got was 1" by 6"
The power supply you can get here http://www.circuitspecialists.com/benchtop-power-supply-csi12001x.html
I use a 0-34v unit i found at the swap meet (got lucky with that one) because I primarily do only bronzes, purples and blues. For Greens you need 100+ V These guys have different machines depending on what you want to do and what you need.

I think i might pick that $129.99 because i want to be able to try green. And its cheaper that the ones I have seen. Thanks for all the help.
 
Multi Etch is essential on polished fishes, satin ones, but sand blasted CRK scales don't need the Etch prep.
 
Multi Etch is essential on polished fishes, satin ones, but sand blasted CRK scales don't need the Etch prep.


So much to learn! I was thinking about anodizing the back plate as-well if i can get the right color blue.
 
Once you get your Ti wire and Anode, play around with it. I used to etch everything but believe it or not it doesn't need it all the time. I mostly use it to remove old ano now. If you have a polished surface and etch it, the polish is as good as gone. You wind up with a surface that looks like it has a light blast.
Play around with different forms of prep and voltages.... This surface (the purple clip) was buffed to a high sheen (mirror) and then Windex'd and dried. After that, it went straight into the ano tank and here are the results. The standoffs and screws were heat treated to match because they are steel.

MODiFiEDZ mentions that as well, the etching solution will remove high polish. That's what i've noticed, maybe Zeta33 might have a different result. Zeta33 not trying to dissuade your facts, i'm just throwing in the experiences :)

IMG_20150209_143615_zpsiyv9mehy.jpg


I've got a bunch more, hopefully soon I'll have some time to make a halfway decent thread ;)
 
Once you get your Ti wire and Anode, play around with it. I used to etch everything but believe it or not it doesn't need it all the time. I mostly use it to remove old ano now. If you have a polished surface and etch it, the polish is as good as gone. You wind up with a surface that looks like it has a light blast.
Play around with different forms of prep and voltages.... This surface (the purple clip) was buffed to a high sheen (mirror) and then Windex'd and dried. After that, it went straight into the ano tank and here are the results. The standoffs and screws were heat treated to match because they are steel.

MODiFiEDZ mentions that as well, the etching solution will remove high polish. That's what i've noticed, maybe Zeta33 might have a different result. Zeta33 not trying to dissuade your facts, i'm just throwing in the experiences :)

IMG_20150209_143615_zpsiyv9mehy.jpg


I've got a bunch more, hopefully soon I'll have some time to make a halfway decent thread ;)

That purple is sharp! Looking forward to that thread. I will definitely be playing around with different colors. Polished and unpolished. Thanks for the info!
 
Once you get your Ti wire and Anode, play around with it. I used to etch everything but believe it or not it doesn't need it all the time. I mostly use it to remove old ano now. If you have a polished surface and etch it, the polish is as good as gone. You wind up with a surface that looks like it has a light blast.
Play around with different forms of prep and voltages.... This surface (the purple clip) was buffed to a high sheen (mirror) and then Windex'd and dried. After that, it went straight into the ano tank and here are the results. The standoffs and screws were heat treated to match because they are steel.

MODiFiEDZ mentions that as well, the etching solution will remove high polish. That's what i've noticed, maybe Zeta33 might have a different result. Zeta33 not trying to dissuade your facts, i'm just throwing in the experiences :)

IMG_20150209_143615_zpsiyv9mehy.jpg


I've got a bunch more, hopefully soon I'll have some time to make a halfway decent thread ;)
Dissuade? We're saying the same thing. "Multi Etch is not always needed." Nice work, also.
 
polish the crap out of it.
then re anodize lower.

I have you have an issue, I'll do it for free, you just cover the shipping. I have a power supply and love anodizing.

Multi etch is a fantastic product and makes things easier for sure, but not always needed.
 
Do you guys "heat/boil" the Multi Etch like in the video posted above or can you simply use it as is? Also, does one method render better results than the other?
 
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