Removing sundamage from Anodized

[QWKRN U]

Anyway to remove the white chalky sun damage from a anodized swim step?

[FCMarine]

Has it just become oxidized like the gelcoat on the boat would after being sundamaged?

[QWKRN U]

White chalky look. Ive tried washing,waxing etc still there.

[FCMarine]

Have you tried buffing. Maybe with the mothers powerball or something of the sort to get into the small spaces? Hopefully it didn't fully take the color out where you would have to get it re-done.

[SHIP4BRAINS]

Is it clear?

You may have to strip it and have it re-coated.

I tried to restore a aluminum grill on my 1969 F100 pickup. The anodizing was hazy, chalky looking. It is tough as nails.

I never completed the task, but I did strip parts of it using Red Devil Lye. I don't remember the mixture ratio....x amount of lye and water....and the parts soak for a long time. When done, you have a dull, flat ugly piece of aluminum that has to be buffed, polished and recoated. I sold the stuff on ebay in their stripped state. Not a fun task.

[QWKRN U]

Its a purple anodized swim step. If it doesn't clean up not the end of the world, Id just like it to look new again.

[fountainpilot]

can you post a pic of the part so i can see if it has a clear coat on it? most marine anodized parts have a clear so the natural ph levels dont eat the anodizing away over time.

[QWKRN U]

Its the same as this one.
http://www.danamarineproducts.com/CategoryImages/swim%20step%20no%20rubber2.gif

[Elite Marine]

Nothing you can do. The only way to strip anodizing is oven cleaner. Powdercoat will not fade. Thats the difference between anodizing and powdercoat.

Good luck.

[derekpfeiffer]

I used to work at a custom CNC machine shop and almost all of the parts we made were anodized. The industrial coating shops are able to easily strip anodizing and reanodize parts. Problem being most industrial coating shops have a minimum batch charge and if you only have one lil step you might pay dearly for it but when its done it'll look awesome!!!!

This is the place we ususally used and they seemed to have pretty low batch charge and always did a good job for us. We always just ups'ed the parts to them.

Industrial Plating
1149 N 19TH St
Omaha, NE 68102-4188
Phone: (402) 344-4684

Good luck
Doogie

[QWKRN U]

Thanks for all the replies, Im going to have it redone or just buy a new one come summer. Which ever is cheaper. Ive also looked into adding a platform on the back. It never ends.

[Griff]

I would have it powdercoated. Kruse Powdercoating in Laurie has done some good work for me at very reasonable prices.

Jim Kruse 1-573-216-4421

[liesel]

If it's just mineralization from fresh water try CLR - calcium, lime and rust remover.

[QWKRN U]

I would have it powdercoated. Kruse Powdercoating in Laurie has done some good work for me at very reasonable prices.

Jim Kruse 1-573-216-4421


Thanks I actually have a powder coater here local. that's done a few things for me already.
http:\\www.hp-powdercoatings.com
Does great work.

[26 Spyder]

I would have it powdercoated. Kruse Powdercoating in Laurie has done some good work for me at very reasonable prices.

Jim Kruse 1-573-216-4421

I second that, Jim has done many parts for me in the past with excellent results. We even did an engine block!

He can blast the part you have and then do a 2 stage coat and make your platform look like new. Most of the new ones are coated now anyway.

[h2oboy]

Thanks I actually have a powder coater here local. that's done a few things for me already.
http:\\www.hp-powdercoatings.com
Does great work.


I use Tim for all my powdercoating as well - AMER3 lives about 5 doors down from him.

[JDTDBD]

Try NEVR-DULL It cleans and polishes: Aluminum, Copper, Pewter, Brass, Gold, Silver, Chrome, Nickel, and Zinc.
Use on Automotive and Motorcycle Trim, Marine Accessories, Hardware, Tools,
Cookware, and Silverware.

I have used it on pretty much anything metal that needed cleaning or polishing and it has worked on everything I have tried it on. It is fairly cheap for a can of it, like $8 or something. You can get it at an autopart store or walmart. It looks like white/grayish cotton candy jammed in a tin can. Just pull a small piece out and start rubbing/buffing the piece of metal you want cleaned, allow it to haze like you would if you were waxing a car. Then wipe off and be amazed. It worked so good I started to look for things to test it on.