New here, ano probs...

[MikeD]

Hi guys, got a problem apparently.
ive been trying to anodize for some time now but it never comes out right.
usually the color will run out of the parts, ive tried it every which way.

But one thing caught my attention the other day.
I read some where that the solution should be %5 i think i was.
But when i first started this i thought i had read 5 to 1
meaning 5 parts water to 1 part sulfuric acid.

which is about what i mixed.
I simply got a gallon of 96% sulfuric acid from a chemical supply house.

couldnt find battery acid anyway(checked all the usual locations)

so which percentage is right?

and could this affect the color holding? i didnt think being to strong a solution could hurt too much.

thanks
Mike

[NeoMoses]

Yes, your electrolyte concentration will definately affect pore size, thus the ability for the pores to hold dye. See this thread for a bit more information on general trends in anodizing: http://www.caswellplating.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?t=1366

I would recommend mixing the electrolyte as described in the LCD instructions, then trying again. Let us know how it works.

[neilfj]

The recommended concentration of the electrolyte is approx. 4.8 - 5.0% Sulfuric Acid (by volume). If you were using battery acid, it would be 3 parts distilled water to 1 part battery acid.

For concentrated battery acid, it depends if the 96% concentration is based on weight or volume. If based on volume, you would add 1 cup of 96% acid to 19 cups of distilled water (or 6.75oz of acid added to 1 gallon of distilled water). If the acid concentration is based on weight, the concentration would have to be converted to concentration by volume, but at this high a concentration, I don't think it would make much of a difference.