Aluminum Refinishing

[ratrodfink]

I am looking to have the anodized coating removed from the receivers on my AR. After the coating is removed I want them to be high polished in order for a new coating to be applied. Is there anyone who would do that locally?

[ianb1116]

No help on who can do the refinishing, but most applications require a roughened surface for proper adhesion. High polish is not the way to go.

[ratrodfink]

No help on who can do the refinishing, but most applications require a roughened surface for proper adhesion. High polish is not the way to go.

As far as I know anodizing is completely different. It's actually a molecular change to the metal and the finish of the metal comes through if the anodized coating is not opaque.

[Nate7667]

What new coating are you applying?
Is it a hard coat?

To remove, some type of abrasive; either blasted or by hand (sand paper/scotch brite wheel)

[ratrodfink]

I want to have the pieces anodized again. A shiny gold.

[Bang]

There was a discussion awhile back asking the same. As I recall it, anyone anodizing a gun or gun parts needs to satisfy ATF rules as being licensed to alter or work on guns for profit or the usual fed crap. That reduces the available places to have it done. Probably including interstate problems.

[RockIsland]

Might be easier to just gold plate it.

That wouldn't take to anodized aluminum though.

Bead blasting would probably be the easiest way to remove the surface oxide from the anodization process but it will have a matte look if it's not polished. Op, you're absolutely right about that.

The media should also be new and clean without any traces of other metals.

Scotchbrite pads would be a lot of work and would have to be polished as well. It's a lot harder to evenly remove the anodized finish, especially in the tight spots and small recessed areas.

PM Brian from Easton Firearms Refinishing. http://forum.pafoa.org/member.php?u=35276

I don't know if he does this but he would be the guy to ask.

[ratrodfink]

Might be easier to just gold plate it.

That wouldn't take to anodized aluminum though.

Bead blasting would probably be the easiest way to remove the surface oxide from the anodization process but it will have a matte look if it's not polished. Op, you're absolutely right about that.

The media should also be new and clean without any traces of other metals.

Scotchbrite pads would be a lot of work and would have to be polished as well. It's a lot harder to evenly remove the anodized finish, especially in the tight spots and small recessed areas.

PM Brian from Easton Firearms Refinishing. http://forum.pafoa.org/member.php?u=35276

I don't know if he does this but he would be the guy to ask.

Thanks RockIsland. I actually have some parts going out to Brian to be cerakoted and I didn't even think to ask.

[dkf]

Removing the black from the receiver doesn't remove the anodizing, it just removes the color layer at the top. The anodizing has a case depth, usually a couple thousandths. This can make the finish spotty for polishing unless you cut down far enough with the buffing to get below the anodizing. Best off with a coating like KG Gunkote or Cerakote. KG has several metallic colors of their Gunkote in Gold/bronze/brass colors. The coating is hard when it cures, you can add a little more gloss with some polish and elbow grease.

[bigandy1966]

you tube has videos on how to remove anodizing and how to re anodize aluminum.