Thread: removing anondize

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I'm trying to remove the anondize from the aluminum grill and trim on my 65 chevelle but haven't found anything that will touch it. Can anyone help?
thanks
banjo

Start sanding, probably about some 400 grit wet.

EZ off oven cleaner....... spray it on put it in a plastic bag to keep it from drying out and let it sit for awhile.....

MM64

Thanks,I'll try them both.

are you trying to remove the dull finish(oxidation ) or does it have a dye on it? My Castwell crome plating manual says something about If it has been sealed with a sealer its the sealer that you will have to remove first before polishing can begin .Anodizing is a process of placing aluminum in and electrolyte and passing a low voltage current through it . This causes the aluminu to oxodizeand looks like a honeycome layer of tubes growing up from the surface these tubes conveniently accept dye into them, similar to steel rusting, with the net result of a very hard protective coating. that coat as I understand is like crome plating your aluminum which can also be dyed and sealed. Castwell sell a Aluminum De-oxidizer concentrate if those other things dont work go to castwellplating.com thay can help you.

EZ off works fast and good . JUST BE VERY CAREFUL, its acid and can easily burn you. If you do not pay attention to what you are doing you can also easily ruin the part. Spray it on and put it in a bag ,don't leave it, as soon as you see the color coming off rinse it off with water.

The finish I'm trying to remove isn't a color anondize,its clear like a sealer.
Guys at the body shop tell me its an anondize. I've tryed an oven cleaner on it,but it wouldn't touch it. It wasn't EZ-OFF, but a cheaper brand.
I'll try the EZ_OFF now.The alum looks sort of foggy ,from age and exposure I guess. I ordered a new grill kit from OPG but their manufactor hasn't been able to make an acceptable repro yet,and I haven't found anyone else that has them. So,I need to git mine back in shape.
thanks for the suggestions and keep them coming. I'll let you know what works.
Oh yeh. I tried that castwell web site, error message said no such site. Could they have a new site by another name?
thanks guys
banjo

take it to a plating shop .. if your going to have it re-anodized they can strip it and re-anodize it . we do anodizing here where i work .. i will find out what kind of acid bath they strip with ..

Be sure to use the EZ-Off with lie... Some off shoots of EZ-off does not contain lie and will not remove the anodizing. Also be sure to wear rubber gloves!!! EZ-Off removes skin as well as anodizing!!!

Dave Brisco

Hoss, if I can git the a-dize off, I'm gonna just polish the pieces and use them til OPG comes up with a new grill. But, I want the old pieces to look good cause the new stuff may never git here. Let me know what your shop uses if you find out.
Dave, thanks for the info, I didn't know there was different kinds. I'll give it a shot.
thanks all
banjo

lye is not an acid, it is an alkaline.

not much difference unless you decide to try and neutralize it, and then you better know what you are doing.

Originally Posted by banjo1

Oh yeh. I tried that castwell web site, error message said no such site. Could they have a new site by another name?
thanks guys
banjo

Try this:

http://www.caswellplating.com/

thanks,it worked.

cathodize? (washing soda and battry charger)