Aluminium Blackening

[Angry Bloke]

Has anyone tried to chemically blacken alloy ( with or without success) ?

I've got a bottle of " Birchwood Casey - Aluminium Black " which if it does what it says on the tin ,should be ideal

[foremanbob]

most of the home stuff you can buy works... but its a soft finish... normally scratches easily

[Angry Bloke]

Thanks Bob

[coaster]

Is it a form of anodising Peach? you normally need an electrical source and 'charge the item whilst it is suspended in a dye solution...did it at school a loooong time ago

[Angry Bloke]

Thanks Colin - That's the type of thing but I was hoping for a more robust finish than anodising

I'm planning on trying it out on some test bits later

[Angry Bloke]

Well , it did a fantastic job on the stainless steel blade of the craft knife I used to open the bottle ..........

Shame I cant say the same for the alloy test pieces

Hammerite it is then

[Warkton Tornado No.1]

Well , it did a fantastic job on the stainless steel blade of the craft knife I used to open the bottle ..........

Shame I cant say the same for the alloy test pieces

Hammerite it is then

This might be a “I’ll get me coat” situation but, by accident, I found that dunking alloy parts in 'Vanish Oxi action' leaves them with a matt, dark grey finish that is surprisingly enduring & might look better than Hammerite. I did an alloy cylinder & head prior to honing/polishing the internal working surfaces.

I suggest you try it on something like an alloy seal retaining plate that won’t be seen first.

[Angry Bloke]

Well , it did a fantastic job on the stainless steel blade of the craft knife I used to open the bottle ..........

Shame I cant say the same for the alloy test pieces

Hammerite it is then

This might be a “I’ll get me coat” situation but, by accident, I found that dunking alloy parts in 'Vanish Oxi action' leaves them with a matt, dark grey finish that is surprisingly enduring & might look better than Hammerite. I did an alloy cylinder & head prior to honing/polishing the internal working surfaces.

I suggest you try it on something like an alloy seal retaining plate that won’t be seen first.

I like the sound of that WT1 - I'll give it a try

[Fast n Furious]

Well , it did a fantastic job on the stainless steel blade of the craft knife I used to open the bottle ..........

Shame I cant say the same for the alloy test pieces

Hammerite it is then

This might be a “I’ll get me coat” situation but, by accident, I found that dunking alloy parts in 'Vanish Oxi action' leaves them with a matt, dark grey finish that is surprisingly enduring & might look better than Hammerite. I did an alloy cylinder & head prior to honing/polishing the internal working surfaces.

I suggest you try it on something like an alloy seal retaining plate that won’t be seen first.

I like the sound of that WT1 - I'll give it a try

Virtually any strong acid or alkali will have this affect on aluminium.