polished alum

[fxstcguy98]

If I polished up alum wheels to a mirror shine. Can I anodize them clear and still maintain the shine? Would I have to seal it?

[acidrain]

Typically, anodized polished parts don't retain the full shine they had at the beginning of the process. The slight dulling effect can be minimized by anodizing for shorter times, resulting in a thinner anodized layer.
On some polished wheels, instead of anodizing, they are sealed with a clear urethane coating.
I suggest experimenting, or at least looking at some clear anodized parts for reference.

[sswee]

I agree with acidrain. I polish alot of parts to anodize and they loose a little shine but still look great. Not a super big difference than clear polyurathane parts I've done. Something to think about though is to anodize a 15" x 7" rim will take approx. 21 amps at a 4.5A CD.

[fxstcguy98]

Thanks guys
21Amps are no problem, I have a 150A rectifier that I use for my chrome plating. I haven't tried anodizing yet, I will practice on a few parts after I get this chrome thing down. The wheel is off a "Fatboy" which isn't really that shiny to begin with. If I polish to a mirror shine and it gets a little duller, that's cool with me. I just want to make sure it wouldn't turn out milky looking.

[M_D]

I don't know the maximum voltage of your rectifier or if it is constant current cabable or not, but I do know some plating rectifiers have a lower maximum voltage limit than is required by anodizing unless the current density (amps per square foot of part) is kept low.

[sswee]

Is that Fatboy as in MC? Depending on the style, amps needed could be a bit different. Haven't had any parts turn milky. Anodize over clearcoat any day in my book. Like M_D said, you need to check you max voltage on your rectifier and if it is constant current capable.

[fxstcguy98]

my rectifier is CC or CV but the max voltage is 5.5V, is that enough? I don't understand what MC is sswee, but the wheel is off a Harley.

[M_D]

I think you would need 10+ volts. It will vary according to conditions and current density. The is a current thread entitled "Peak Voltage ?" that may provide you with some usable information.

[sswee]

MC - motorcycle. I've a 82 XLS. Like M_D said peak voltage needed for a 3amp CD is 7.5 volts. That's about as low as you want to go and is only a calculated value. It could be +-2 volts depending on the variables

[fxstcguy98]

Thanks all for the help. It sounds like I would need another PS, that's getting to be way more expensive than it's worth to do one wheel. I was hoping since I have a plating setup, I could use what I already have. I can buy a chrome wheel for around $300, maybe I will go that route. Thanks again.