Gentlemen:
I began this thread under the login “sccc”, but that was a temporary login because my regular one wasn’t working, and I couldn’t get it reset due to ISP problems. That’s fixed now, so all my future posts will be from “seanc”.
I’ve run 2 more anodize tests, and now know the source of my original problem (I think), and can now get great results! See:
http://www.hogheaven.com/hobby/plati...fourthtry.html
neilfj, you had my problem properly identified first time. Keeping the part wetted at all times!
In my 3rd test, everything was going well until the after the part was sealed. In my haste to get it out of the hot sealant into the rinse tub, I dropped the part. By the time I could grab it back up, it had mostly dried. Doesn’t take long when the part is at 210º or so! If I’d have been thinking right, I should have put it back in the hot sealant, but I didn’t. I rinsed it, and the finish is horrible, as the photo shows. This might be salvaged by polishing, but I haven’t tried yet. Just wanted to get the photos first.
So on my 4th test, I did 2 things differently. 1) reduced dye temp to 120º (a recommendation I saw elsewhere), and 2) left the part in the sealant, and cooled the sealant by dropping the tank into a larger bucket of cold water. When the sealant was down to 90-95º, I pulled and rinsed it. It came out great! I plan to cool the sealant this way from now on.
So I think I’ve got this figured out, and my next run will be on the real parts.
Thanks everyone!