black dye problem

[destroyer125]

I dont know if this has been asked before but Im having trouble w/ my black dye....its not coming out black its coming out a gun metalish blued steel color

[sswee]

Re: black dye problem

Coating too thin to get full color, Dye time and temp or Ph level.

Without details it's hard to say. It has been said by some that black like red is Ph sensitive. Are you having any problems with other colors?

[destroyer125]

Re: black dye problem

Nope its just black....Im getting more parts to come out now but im still getting parts not coming out black

[sswee]

Re: black dye problem

How old is the dye? How much has it been used?

[sswee]

Re: black dye problem

How are you hooking up to the part electrically?

[M_D]

Re: black dye problem

There are various black dyes available, they are all different to some degree. The black from Casswell can have a brownish cast if the part either has disoulution or if the dye ph is too low (we run at 5.5 to 6) which brings out the red. When you first see a blue hue, that is a good sign that the ph is close and the anodizing is close to right, but it should go ahead and turn black. If the parts won't won't dye to a nice black, then the layer is too hard, too thin, or the dye very weak. I believe heating the dye is best and we do that here, but it shouldn't make a big difference in whether the parts get black or not. If it does, you are on the edge and have other problems.

The blackness (a deep black compared to a charcoal black) will be affected to a degree my the part texture, a polished or high quality machined surface will get blacker than a blasted or etched surface. I have never seen where that would make the difference between getting blue parts or black ones, but I thought I would mention it anyhow.