Anodized Removal

[pzrwest]

How does one remove the anodizeing from a rudder assembly short of sanding? Is there a chemical etc that will remove it? Any suggestions? Thanks in advance

[J Solinger]

Anodizing companies can strip it off for you but it can leave an ugly finish. It realy isn't something one would do at home because of the chemicals involved.

[JimClark]

I have never tried it but I hear Easy off oven cleaner will do it

[Rex R]

easy off will do it...BUT,to be blunt, it will also eat the heck out off the underlying Al! really mechanical abrasion with scouring powder is safer and less likely to leave craters.

[AndyKunz]

Why do you want to remove it? The anodizing is there to protect the metal underneath. It's harder than the aluminum below it.

Andy

[Jeff Wohlt]

Plenty of websites on this. I think Draino does it after a soaking

[crrcboatz]

Go to an Ace hardware store and tell them you want to buy some lye. It will come in cans. Take a gal or so of water in a plastic bucket, pour the entire can in, mix it up using rubber gloves. Drop in what you want to remove the anodizing from. Let it set 10 min. and check. After that check every 2-3 minutes. Remove, rinse well with water and you have it! the item will come out a dull lt gray but can be polished very easily.

Can you tell I have done this?!!! I hate that purple anodizing that is on so much china stuff.
Caution also wear safety glasses through the entire process and don't get that mixture on clothing!

To dispose of it, well you don't want to know what I did with it.

Curt

[pzrwest]

My rudder assembly is red anodized and I guess I should have ordered a plain one. Just don't thing it(the red one) will look that great on a green and black color scheme(like the Gravedigger Monster Truck colors)

[Meniscus]

If you don't want to go chemical, I'd use a pencil grinder and a paddle sanding bit, can't think of what it is called, sorry. I'd be very careful though as you could take off much more than you bargain for. Let me know if you want a picture of the bit for reference before attempting.

This is merely another method, but by no means is the best. I'm just throwing it out there in case you have experience with a pencil grinder. Otherwise, I recommend not attempting and use one of the methods suggested above. I believe the end result would be better.

[properchopper]

Here's another direction you may want to consider : Duplicolor METALCAST spray paint. Simulates anodized finish in various colors. Or, as I've done, Krylon Fusion Satin spray paint. I painted the modded skeg on my Hyperformance Angle Drive with it & it came out OK. Durability may be an issue, although this solution may be less hassle than messing with chemicals.

[AndyKunz]

My rudder assembly is red anodized and I guess I should have ordered a plain one. Just don't thing it(the red one) will look that great on a green and black color scheme(like the Gravedigger Monster Truck colors)

The red is just a die. You might do better looking for ways to remove the die than to remove the anodizing that's holding it in place.

Andy

[crrcboatz]

If it is hard anodized the only is bead blasting and or chemical. Hard anodizing is a darker shade and a little less shiny or has less depth.

Curt

[longballlumber]

I have used "White Lightning" degreaser with some success. It can leave pitting on the aluminum. Plus, it may not remove all of the anodizing in the corners and such. I may try using a sand blaster at work.

My issue is shapening the rudder blade and the turn fin. To get these items sharp (as they should be) you will end up removing the anodizing anyway.

Mike

[pzrwest]

Here os the rudder assembly that I have http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...ProdID=PRB2824

[AndyKunz]

Here is the clear version:

http://www.proboatmodels.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=PRB3756

Andy