well google wasnt any help, i need to apply aluminum blackening (birchwood aluminum black) but i cant find the propper steps to do so anywhere, the guy at the gun store wasnt any help either. would someone with the knowledge please list the steps to do so? i realise the surface must be prepped (bead blasting would be best, but its not an option, so im buffing it) it must be clensed w/ clean water (or brake kleen) then to my understanding the aluminum black must be applied immediatly after to prevent any ammount of oxadizing to form over the aluminum. then what? rise it of with water, and reapply or just one coat. i was also told to spray it w/ wd40, can i do that between coats? theis is where i start to get confused obviously.
steps to apply aluminum black
- Thread starter swatt13
- Start date
http://www.birchwoodcasey.com/downloads/safety.html
then go down the list to "aluma black a14", and click on "operating instructions"
then go down the list to "aluma black a14", and click on "operating instructions"
HA! that was easy lol. thanks for your help
update.
well i failed miserably. the whole sanding before applying does not work at all. i could get the angles and body lines to stain propperly, but the larger flat surfaces not at all. its too difficult to strip the oxadization away without sand blasting it or useing a buffing wheel, and im not comfortable takeing it to a buffing wheel. i guess this is on hold until i get ahold of a sand blaster.
update.
well i failed miserably. the whole sanding before applying does not work at all. i could get the angles and body lines to stain propperly, but the larger flat surfaces not at all. its too difficult to strip the oxadization away without sand blasting it or useing a buffing wheel, and im not comfortable takeing it to a buffing wheel. i guess this is on hold until i get ahold of a sand blaster.
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Part of the issue is that aluminium actually oxidizes EXTREMELY fast so by the time you do one part and then the next the first has already gotten the first beginnings of oxidation.
I don't know if it'll work or not but try wet sanding it fully submerged in water. Then you can take your time and get it right and once ready pull it out and immediately swab it down with the blackening agent.
The other thought is to find an anodizing shop in your area and drop the part off on a Friday evening around quiting time with a 6 pack under your arm. Black is such a standard color that it shouldn't be a big deal at all to toss it in with another batch. And if they don't like beer the cost shouldn't be more than a 10 spot at most for a small part. The beauty of anodizing is that it creates a harder skin on the aluminium that'll better resist scratches compared to a blackening agent.
I don't know if it'll work or not but try wet sanding it fully submerged in water. Then you can take your time and get it right and once ready pull it out and immediately swab it down with the blackening agent.
The other thought is to find an anodizing shop in your area and drop the part off on a Friday evening around quiting time with a 6 pack under your arm. Black is such a standard color that it shouldn't be a big deal at all to toss it in with another batch. And if they don't like beer the cost shouldn't be more than a 10 spot at most for a small part. The beauty of anodizing is that it creates a harder skin on the aluminium that'll better resist scratches compared to a blackening agent.
