Sealing anodized parts?

[desert_roamer]

In the plating manual it suggests two methods of sealing after dyeing an anodized part, a steam bath and a boiling nickel acetate solution. Should I use both steps? Will the nickel acetate step be effective after steaming?

I am going for a deep matte black finish on grit blasted parts.

Thanks!

[mcaswell]

The nickel acetate method is a MUCH better technique for sealing anodize than regular steaming.

If you use nickel acetate, you don't need to steam. If you steam, you don't need to nickel acetate. Nickel acetate tends to give better results than steaming.