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Old 01-26-2007, 04:59 PM
acidrain acidrain is offline
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Default Re: Very Newbie Question: Repairing scratches on aluminum anodized 50 years ago

Wow, that is a huge project (anodizing wise).
I can't imagine anodizing those large panels at home, but here is what would need to be done:
Build tanks large enough to hold the largest panel.
Calculate power requirements by multiplying the total surface area by your target current density. Figure 4.5 amps per sq. ft. minimum.
Calculate heat generated during ano by measureing the resistance and usingt ohms law to find for watts, then convert to BTU's.
Install the appropriate sized chiller to maintain the tank temp during ano.

I think you'll find that setting up this scale of anodizing will be cost prohibitive. I suggest finding an anodizer that can do these size panels.

To answer your other questions,
No, Ano cannot be spot repaired.
Yes, ano can be stripped, and re-anodized.
Matching the old gold color will be next to impossible, unless all the panels are stripped and re-ano'd.
Only other option I can think of is paint.
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