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3. unprovoked physical assaults
De-Anodizing at Home
How? It's not difficult, really. Sodium hydroxide is what does the job, and you can find it in a couple household products, including Easy-Off oven cleaner and Draino drain opener. Easy-Off only contains a few percentage points of the NaH2, however, while Draino is comprised almost exclusively of NaH2! Also, Easy-Off is a little tougher to control and isn't as convenient to dispose. I have to thank RCMann from the Slap Ma Fro! Message Board for turning me onto this method.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: Pick up some Draino crystals (used for opening plugged sink drains) and a bucket big enough to completely immerse the largest part you wish to de-anodize.Step 2: Find a safe, well-ventilated place that won't be affected by splashes or drips of Draino, such as a garage or driveway, and put on some safety glasses or goggles and don some rubber gloves. Be sure to follow the safety instructions on the Draino container as well. Now fill the bucket as much as necessary for your largest part and add an appropriate amount of Draino. The suggested ratio is 1 tablespoon of crystals for every cup of water. There are 16 tablespoons in a cup and 16 cups in a gallon, so you can adjust your quantites accordingly. Half-gallon of water needs a half-cup of crystals, etc.
Step 3: While the Draino is dissolving, run a wire through a hole in the part to be de-anodized, or wrap the wire around the part if there's no hole. The wire will be used to suspend the part in the solution without you physically touching it either one.
Step 4: Dunk the part for 15-25 seconds or so, then lift it out and take a look at it. It will likely be all blackened (and might be smoking a little bit), which is normal. This is the anodizing itself after being destroyed by the Draino. If the blackened color looks even and the original color is gone, gently tap the part on the the inside of the bucket to remove the drips, and rinse thoroughly in the sink, using a metal brush and soap or other cleaner to make sure all the chemicals and residue have been removed
Step 5: If the part is a nice, even silver color (or raw aluminum, in this case), you're done. If there's still some anodizing remaining, repeat Step 4 to make sure all is removed.
Step 6 (Optional): You can quit right there if you wish, leaving the aluminum raw. If you prefer, however, you can polish the item as much as your patience and schedule will allow. SOSTM pads work well to clean the part and to smooth the surface leaving a nice finish, or you can take it further using standard aluminum polishing techniques. Keep in mind that now this aluminum has no protection and over time will most likely become oxidized.
Feedback is always welcome, please click the "Contact Me!" link if you'd like to leave some.Copyright © 2008 RCBASHER