Questions

[d0n]

If I dye an aluminum object, and it isn't right do I have to put it back through the anodizing process (acid/battery charger process), or can I just strip, clean and dye?

Also what if anything will happen if I mix one container of dye w/ 1 gallon of water instead of 2?

What exactly does the desmut process do? I don't quite understand that. Will it remove fingerprint greese?

Thanks

[mcaswell]

You'll have to strip the anodize, then re-anodize.

>>Also what if anything will happen if I mix one container of dye w/ 1 gallon of water instead of 2?

It won't be the right color, may not dye correctly etc. Just add another gallon of water.

>>What exactly does the desmut process do?

This is the product the commercial anodizers use, a liquid concentrate, added to distilled water, to make a pre-anodize dip which de-smuts, removes unwanted materials such as copper, silicone & magnesium and prepares the metal for immediate anodizing. This is useful on alloys prone to smutting when placed into the anodizing tank. (Usually found on many Japanese motorcycle parts.) Aluminum De-Oxidizer & De-Smut is a chrome-free liquid de-oxidizer for a wide range of alloys. It operates at room temperature and is also an excellent de-oxidizer for aluminum alloys prior to chromating.