Gunsmithing blasting anodized parts

[ugsly]

Im using 120 grit AO. takes awhile to get anodizing off parts. is there a better way? Thought about trying 80 grit garnett.

Kc

 

[hero's machine]

Re: blasting anodized parts

I just did some with 80 grit last night. You have to be careful on sharp edges, the 80 will eat it up as soon as its gets through the anodizing. Garnet and ao are very similar in shape, garnet just does not last as long....so if you are thinking garnet will have more "tooth", it will not.

 

[cooleyjc]

Re: blasting anodized parts

You can dissolve the coating in a sodium hydoxide (lye) and water solution. Watch it while you do it, the solution will also dissolve aluminum. Start with a chunk you don't care about and practice.

 

[Redcreek1]

Re: blasting anodized parts

The key is a bigger badder blast cabinet and compressor.

Something in the 50 CFM range will be about eight to ten times faster than smaller units (sub 20 CFM).

Downside is cost.

 

[nzgrip]

Re: blasting anodized parts

Oven cleaner

 

[cooleyjc]

Re: blasting anodized parts

By the way if you go the sodium hydroxide route use a glass container and do it outside. The bubbles coming off the aluminum are hydrogen gas and in an enclosed space you have an explosion hazard.

 

[northern50]

Re: blasting anodized parts

Heated caustic soda is how we used to remove anodizing, at the anodizing plant I used to work at. Dazza mentioned oven cleaner, that's a good option as most oven cleaners are pretty caustic. Why are you trying to remove the anodizing? If it's just to paint it, anodizing is a great finish to paint to. If it's to polish something I understand. Just note with either mechanical or chemical removal you are removing material from the part, changing it's dimensions.

 

[locked&loaded]

Re: blasting anodized parts

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Northern50</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> If it's just to paint it, anodizing is a great finish to paint to. </div></div>

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