I heard that you can use heavy duty oven cleaner to strip anodized parts. Anyone hear ofthat or have had any experiences? Please let me know. Want to tyr it but dont know where to start.
Oven Cleaner as remover of anodization? Anyone?
- Thread starter arcteryx33
- Start date
Heavy duty engine degreaser will have the same type effect, I learned this the hard way. I think it's the lye in oven cleaner that is so corrosive.
Why do you want to do this? I curious.
Why do you want to do this? I curious.
Yes, it's the lye, or "sodium hydroxide", in the oven cleaner that will dissolve/etch aluminum. Since the anodized layer is aluminum based, it will come off when you do this to it.
A couple of things to think about: anodizing isn't really a "coating", it's a treatment that converts the outer portions of the aluminum surface into aluminum oxide that's harder and less porous. So, the anodized tube/plate doesn't really get BIGGER; nothing's been added, really. so, when you take it off, you're really making the tube/plate thinner. Go too far, or fail to get all the etch off the material, and you will compromise the structural integrity of the aluminum.
Big DH frame with heavy plate construction? I think you've got some wiggle room. Warm the aluminum and it will go faster (or do it in the sunlight).
Tube frame with Easton tubes? Tired of the Ventana paint? Don't do it...:angry:
You can neutralize the etch with mild acid, say a vinegar wash after the etching. Scrub at the seams to make sure it's all gone.
A couple of things to think about: anodizing isn't really a "coating", it's a treatment that converts the outer portions of the aluminum surface into aluminum oxide that's harder and less porous. So, the anodized tube/plate doesn't really get BIGGER; nothing's been added, really. so, when you take it off, you're really making the tube/plate thinner. Go too far, or fail to get all the etch off the material, and you will compromise the structural integrity of the aluminum.
Big DH frame with heavy plate construction? I think you've got some wiggle room. Warm the aluminum and it will go faster (or do it in the sunlight).
Tube frame with Easton tubes? Tired of the Ventana paint? Don't do it...:angry:
You can neutralize the etch with mild acid, say a vinegar wash after the etching. Scrub at the seams to make sure it's all gone.
What do you mean by etch? Im looking at the uppers of my champ which are greyish blue. My housing seems to take off the anodization after it rubs enough. So i figure its not that deep. a new upper for a champ is like $35 so i make mistake its not the end of the world. Any other tips and where to get the cleaner at. And will a heavey degreaser do the same thing. That seems to be more safe.
"Etch" is just an industrial term for "to eat away" when done with chemicals. I lapsed back into slang, because "etch" is also used to refer the the solution used to do the easting away. Could be an acid etch, could be an alkaline etch (like with aluminum), or whatever.
Sure, if the anodizing treatement didn't go very deep on your item, you can simply rub/wear it away. You could also remove all the anodized layer with a pad of Scotch Brite and some elbow grease, removing the material mechanically.
Degreaser won't work: it's got to be something that dissolves aluminum. I think Easy Off, which is pretty mild, is the ticket (still use rubber gloves, and go easy on the fumes).
Sure, if the anodizing treatement didn't go very deep on your item, you can simply rub/wear it away. You could also remove all the anodized layer with a pad of Scotch Brite and some elbow grease, removing the material mechanically.
Degreaser won't work: it's got to be something that dissolves aluminum. I think Easy Off, which is pretty mild, is the ticket (still use rubber gloves, and go easy on the fumes).
Hmm... another q for you guys!- i've got a pair of RF Northshore crankarms- that are sevirely lacking the ano due to shoe rubbing against them- you know, many miles on them 
Can i just "etch" the red ano away myself- or should i consider getting it done prefessionally, if i want to re-anodize them black... what's the best deal- DIY or paid some ano. firm to do if, if they can...
Thanks-
Can i just "etch" the red ano away myself- or should i consider getting it done prefessionally, if i want to re-anodize them black...
what's the best deal- DIY or paid some ano. firm to do if, if they can...Thanks-
Anodizing is not a home kind of process. 
Most anodizing shops can etch and polish for you, before they drop the stuff in the zap tank. Just call a few shops and compare prices. If you feel up to it, cruise the 'net and read up on anodizing standards --this will help you guage what you want to pay for.
Most anodizing shops can etch and polish for you, before they drop the stuff in the zap tank. Just call a few shops and compare prices. If you feel up to it, cruise the 'net and read up on anodizing standards --this will help you guage what you want to pay for.
I made my b/f take the anodizing on my old Dare frame with Easy Off (it was one of those red colors that was fading to pink). Besides the fact that all the chemicals gave him a super bad headache, the process worked really well. I got it powdercoated at a local shop, and the bike looked great. 6 months later, it cracked at a weld on the seat tube. Don't know if they were related, but I kind of suspect they were. I would be wary if it is a frame that you really like. If you do it, make sure you wear gloves - that stuff is murder on your hands.
Oh yeah? Check this out. Not that I'd do it myself, there'd be some pretty sick results if I did.Originally posted by EBasil
Anodizing is not a home kind of process.
Originally posted by sub6
Oh yeah? Check this out. Not that I'd do it myself, there'd be some pretty sick results if I did.
Good find! That's an interesting link, but I'm sticking with my position that anodizing isn't a home hobby craft (now with exception of the truly hardcore). That guy spent way more doing it than the anodizing shop would charge, and still has to deal with all the chemicals afterward. I agree with him that nitric acid wash is the proper choice, especially if it follows the sodium hydroxide etch (rinse between) but would have no interest in dealing with this stuff at home.