How to start anodizing - Help

[korykendrick]

I am interested in learning hoe to anodize. I want to anodize paintball guns. I have a few older guns I can play with before doing any of my more expensive guns.

I have done a little reading on how anodize aluminum, and watched a few youtube videos, but if someone could give me step by step instructions and an exact list of materials need i would greatly appropriate it!

Thank You,
Kory

[dmiom]

Kory,

First thing I would suggest is to download & study the LCD method anodising instructions which Caswell have kindly published for free (and in terms of sourcing materials, Caswell, who host this forum, also sell anodising kits).

Then, if there is anything that you are puzzled about, do a search here on this forum - and after that, if there's anything you need help with, ask away!

The Caswell LCD is not the only way to do type II aluminium anodising, but if its followed carefully and you are scrupulously clean with everything, you can get easy, reliable & consistent results. It does involve chemicals & heated solutions, but if you exercise a little caution it is safe and indeed fun!

Dave (no connection with Caswell, just a satisified user)

[acidrain]

My first question to you is... what is your budget?
If you plan on going cheap using an old battery charger and using the "let-r-fly" method, I suggest you just pay somebody else to do your parts.
If you want a real ano set up, plan on spending $500-$1000 to start.
If you want to do it as a side business, plan on spending $2500-$5000

Read up, know what you're getting into, get a list of needs, and put together a budget before doing anything.

BTW, you don't need to practice on real parts... practice on scraps of flat bar that you can get from your local hardware store.

[pyroracing85]

My first question to you is... what is your budget?
If you plan on going cheap using an old battery charger and using the "let-r-fly" method, I suggest you just pay somebody else to do your parts.
If you want a real ano set up, plan on spending $500-$1000 to start.
If you want to do it as a side business, plan on spending $2500-$5000

Read up, know what you're getting into, get a list of needs, and put together a budget before doing anything.

BTW, you don't need to practice on real parts... practice on scraps of flat bar that you can get from your local hardware store.

+1 I agree.

[pyroracing85]

Are you still going to pursue anodizing?