The lightweight and versatile material is aluminum.It is very common in car parts, and looks great when polished.When exposed to water or air, the surface of your boat or car can oxidize.There are several ways to protect aluminum.If you have a larger object, spraying it on a clear coat is the best way to do it.Anodising will only work with purer aluminum and it's better to use smaller, portable objects.
Step 1: It's a good idea to clean the aluminum.
If you want to protect the surface, you can use a power washer.You can scrub it by hand.You need to get rid of chalk, dirt, grease and other things.
Step 2: Allow the aluminum to be neutralised.
Baking soda or calcium carbonate can be used to make a water solution.You can spray or rub it with a spray gun or cloth.This is important for surfaces that have been cleaned with an acid cleaner.Black streaks may occur when this reacts with the clear coating.
Step 3: Rub down the surfaces with alcohol or xylene.
They should be available at a hardware store.Do not use lacquer thinner.There are oils in lacquer thinner that can affect the surface.
Step 4: The clear coating should be applied.
You can use a brush or foam roller to paint it.You can dip an object in the coating.
Step 5: Refinish a surface by applying the clear coating.
The clear coating can be re-coated if it starts to break.It's a good idea to clean off the dirt from the previous coating.If you follow the steps above, you can apply the coating again.
Step 6: It's a good idea to clean and neutralize the aluminum.
If you want to clean the surface, use a power washer.To coat the surface, spray or rub on a solution of calcium carbonate or baking soda.Rub the surface with xylene or denatured alcohol after you're done.
Step 7: Measure the clear coating.
Two-part clear coating needs to be mixed with a catalyst.Take out A and B from the can.Measure the 3 parts of part B solution to the part A solution in cups.
Step 8: Put your spray gun together.
Put the Part A and Part B solutions in a metal can.Attach the spray head to the can to make a detail spray gun.
Step 9: The spray gun can be used to test.
If the gun is working, spray a short burst in the air away from the object.
Step 10: You should coat the metal.
You can spray the solution along the length of the object you want to protect.Continue spraying until the surface is glossy and wet.Don't put naked flames near the area you are spraying in.Don't apply too much solution as it may run and dry in streaks.
Step 11: Allow the solution to dry in theventilated area.
Allow the coated aluminum to dry for 24 hours.You can repeat these steps after 24 hours.
Step 12: To protect the object, use water to clean it.
Using hot soapy water, scrub it clean.Any marks on the metal will be permanently etched onto it.
Step 13: Put the object in a cup of caustic soda.
A solution of 5 grams of caustic soda is added to a cup of water.Allow the object to sit in the caustic soda for a while.
Step 14: Your tank should be an anodising tank.
Put the small container inside the larger tub.This will help protect your work surface.
Step 15: The short edges of the inner tank are covered with two lead cathodes.
There are pieces of lead flashing that are objects through which a negative current runs.The surface area of the cathodes needs to be twice as big as the objects you want to anodise.You can buy lead flashing online or at a hardware store.Attach the hooks for the edges of the tank to the lead cathodes.You can either buy them at a hardware store or make them out of titanium wire.
Step 16: The power supply is connected to the lead cathodes.
If you can, you should use a variable-voltage power supply.Use a current of at least 0.145 microamps per square inch (6.45 square cm) of the aluminum object's surface area.If you don't have a variable-voltage power supply, you can use a fixed- voltage supply.
Step 17: Attach the power supply's positive lead to the ammeter.
You can buy ammeters online or from a hardware store.
Step 18: Prepare a solution of electrolyte.
The anodising tank will hold elyte, which will cover the object being protected.It depends on the size of your tank and the object you want to protect.A solution of water and car battery acid should be used.Slowly pour the acid into the water from the inner plastic tank.If the acid and water mix, you should leave the electrolyte to cool for at least 18 hours.
Step 19: Hang the object on the hook.
During the anodising process, an aluminum wire hook may be damaged.The block of wood is large enough for the hook to sit on.
Step 20: Attach the power supply leads to the anode.
The ammeter has a negative lead to the power supply.The ammeter has a positive lead.
Step 21: Put the object in the electrolyte for an hour.
Make sure that the object doesn't touch the cathodes.The current needs to be turned on.The bubbles are coming from the object.This shows that the anodising process is going well.
Step 22: The object needs to be washed in water.
If you want the acid to wash off, place the object in a tub of ionized water overnight.Ionized water can be created by running tap water through a water ioniser.