Removing Anodized Surfaces

[Leechie]

Ok boys and girls I hope one of you can help me.

Half the anodized surface on my pedals has worn away. But no matter how many times I paint them, the horrible orange shows again.

So what I want to do is completly remove the anodized surface from my pedals.


What are people ideas for doing thing? Some kind of acid? Or does someone have a special trick?


Help me remove anodized surfaces!!

[tu plang]

Ok boys and girls I hope one of you can help me.

Half the anodized surface on my pedals has worn away. But no matter how many times I paint them, the horrible orange shows again.

So what I want to do is completly remove the anodized surface from my pedals.


What are people ideas for doing thing? Some kind of acid? Or does someone have a special trick?


Help me remove anodized surfaces!!

it's a job for something abbrasive, you'll have to remove the oxide layer. sandpaper would be the obvious option.

[Rik]

Oven cleaner does the job apparently... you'd want to strip down the pedal beforehand or be very careful of where it ends up.
Apply a small amount at a time, wearing gloves... a scourer may be needed to help things along but be careful as you don't want the stuff on your skin.

[noddy]

riks close....
sodium hydroxide is what you need, ie draino.
but you'ld need to dilute it down a bit. and make sure no area of the alloy is getting more than the rest, the draino will actually corrode the aluminium so you'ld want to apply it sparingly, but it'll take a bit... i guess play it by sight.
i'ld use an old toothbrush, wear protective stuff.

[Hobzai]

Noddy's got it. I used Black & Gold drain cleaner which is 16% by volume NaOH (Sodium Hydroxide). I further diluted it about 30% drain cleaner to 70% water. The trick with the weaker solution is it's not as aggressive so it takes longer. Also, I've no idea how the pedal axle bearings would like it but my guess is - not much. As Rik points out - do NOT take chances on getting the stuff on your skin or in your eyes. I stripped an anodised bashring/guide assembly and used a piece of wire to suspend it in a steel container of the solution. The anodising will just drift off it and fall to the bottom. Rubbing or poking or scrubbing just flings it places you don't want it. Once you're happy you've got it all off - rinse the item thoroughly. Dispose of your solution sensibly - like down a drain in need of cleaning, perhaps!

[tim2]

i just gave my pedals the once over, sandblasting got the job done then i just clearcoated the alloy.

[leitch]

yeah most grill cleaners or oven cleaners will contain NaOH. id agree with the above that just suspending it in a bucket of the NaOH solution would be the way to go. dont expect it to happen immediately, but be careful with leaving it too long - the Al + NaOH reaction can be a pretty violent one... good way to produce hydrogen, too :p

[tu plang]

yeah caustic is not fun stuff to get on your skin. at industrial sights where its in use they'll have wash stations with green lights - if you get doused green is the last colour you can see before you go blind ;)

in low concentration it shouldnt be too bad, but as a safety tip, ignore fight club. neutralizing it with vinegar is not a good idea - the reaction is exothermic and will burn badly. rinsing with water is the best option. if your hands feel mysteriously greasy - thats the fat that the NaOH is taking out of your skin - go and rinse them.