Very Newbie Question: Repairing scratches on aluminum anodized 50 years ago

[filmfatales]

Hi everyone,

I'm so glad I found this site because I am just beginning to research anodizing and have many basic questions.

I am restoring a 1957 Airfloat gold-anodized travel trailer. Much of the original aluminum is in great condition, however, there are scratches and small dings in certain panels that I would like to repair as well as some aluminum panels that will have to be completely replaced.

So, my basic questions are:

Can scratches in aluminum be repaired by "spot anodizing" the areas where the anodized gold color has been scratched off? Or is there some painting method that would hide these scratches?

Or would it be best to re-anodize the entire panel after buffing out the scratch as best I can? Can aluminum be anodized twice?

How difficult is it going to be to match the gold anodized color from 50 years ago so that an old anodized panel will blend in with a brand new one?

Please forgive my complete ignorance. I am way over my head here, but am excited to learn.

Thank you in advance, Chryss

[filmfatales]

Oh, and here's a photo of my project:

[acidrain]

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.