I appreciate the feedback and even though I live in the UK I will try to drive on the same side of the road
I won't be selling the books on ebay (mostly because they are from the university library) and secondly because I do want to increase my understanding of the anodising process.
I'm fine working to the LCD method and would still appreciate your help. Unfortunately I cannot order chemicals and such from the US because of shipping restrictions. I am hoping to get this method working here with some slight substitutions.
So in terms of 'rules to live by' - what are they and what is the flexiblity in them? I would like to be clear in saying that this isn't a challenge against them but a please for further understanding of them.
To continue with my anodising problems would it be safe to assume that if the parts are bulbbling (almost like the same as an airstone with a small air pump) then the voltage and/or current is there?
If the power supply is okay then it has to be to do with something else. The etching step seems to be working okay in that it does look like its desolving the very edge of the material (leave it in long enough) so that seems to be okay.
Would it then be the electrolite? the pink tinting is an indication is it not of some contamination....iron? Possibly in the water? The second is that it may be too strong - is the LCD method based on a 10% v/w? My source here is 98% sulfuric acid.
And again - thanks again everyone for your help. I know I'm working outside the box a bit but I would love to get this working