Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Black Anodizing

William Scalione wrote:

>
> Does anyone have any experience with black anodizing and
> engraving aluminum?
>
> Here's the dilemma. I need to engrave a couple of sheets of
> aluminum, have them black anodized, then paint the letters
> with white paint. I tried this once and everything was ok until
> I tried to get the paint into the letters. I figured slop it on and
> wipe the excess off with acetone. Well it smears the paint into
> the black satin finish and no amount of cleaning will get it off.
> It doesn't look too bad but it's sort of a dark gray anodized
> finish now. No matter how careful I was I still got paint on
> the surface when trying to get it into the letters.
>
> The guy at the metal finishing place told me most engravers
> paint the letters, sand the aluminum, then black anodize it.
> The black dye does not stick to the paint and you are done.
> Problem is he didn't know what kind of paint to use. Also,
> don't they etch the surface first, and if so, what will that do
> to the paint. I was thinking of using epoxy paint.
>
> Any ideas?
>
> Thanks
> Bill
>
>

Anodize is just an activated aluminum oxide layer electrochemically produced. It then absorbs any dye it gets exposed to . I would
try eiochrome black T for a starter as a dye.

Certainly someplace on the web is someone that has done this. :-)

As an aside I've filled in etched letters with colored epoxy the sanded off the tops. It would be a lot of trouble but doing this
then anodizing and coloring might to the trick.

Best of luck,

Dave