I'm working on a little project. Part of that project involves coloring some aluminum parts black. I'd rather not paint them. I'd prefer to have them anodized, or at least have that anodized look.

I've noticed a couple "aluminum blackener" products while looking around online (Jax and ABC). Supposedly, you just brush the stuff on, and it instamagically turns the aluminum black. Neat! So... how well do they work? And does the black finish hold up to outdoor use? These parts will be exposed to the elements.

Thanks

The finish is usually more cosmetic than corrosion resistant. Find a metal finisher in the area and have them do it for you.

They are ok for indoor artistic suff. They wont hold up to the elements for very long. After you blacken them you can seal them with a clear coat. But then you might as well just paint it.

Thanks for the input. Looks like I'll have the stuff anodized instead.

Look up techniques for gun bluing. Same idea but gives you a bit more then just a pretty covering.

I plan on doing that myself to the aluminum dash parts im machining. Get them nice and black like the rest of the dash.

[This message has been edited by User00013170 (edited 02-13-2008).]

Anodize them yourself. No, really.

http://www.caswellplating.com/kits/aluminum.htm

If you want to spend money. Google "hobby plating" if you're cheap like me. It's not that hard.

quote Originally posted by Zeb: Anodize them yourself. No, really. http://www.caswellplating.com/kits/aluminum.htm If you want to spend money. Google "hobby plating" if you're cheap like me. It's not that hard.

Now thats just cool. Now to find a 25 foot long set of buckets........

[This message has been edited by Phranc (edited 02-13-2008).]

quote Originally posted by Phranc: Now thats just cool. Now to find a 25 foot long set of buckets........

How about a feed trough. Check your local farm supply store.

quote Originally posted by 8Ball: How about a feed trough. Check your local farm supply store.

Good idea but it was just a joke. It would never be practical for me to anodize 100s of 24 foot long beams of aluminum a week when I just buy them that way from YKK and other suppliers.

quote Originally posted by Blacktree: Looks like I'll have the stuff anodized instead.

Be aware that while anodizing is an excellent finish treatment for aluminum, the color may not be permanent. A basic anodized surface is clear (or nearly so), and color is achieved by adding dyes to the anodizing solution. The dyes become embedded in the thin, porous layer of aluminum oxide that is the anodized surface. Long exposure to the ultraviolet component of sunlight will eventually bleach most dyes, possibly resulting in a faded anodized surface after several years. Some colors (e.g. most blacks) are more resistant to fading than others.

There is also the issue of proper disposal of the excess chemicals when finished.

You would probably be surprised at the reasonable cost if done properly by a finisher.