• When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

How to remove anodizing from aluminum trim, need help

QOTHL

QOTHL

Well-Known Member
Local time
10:24 AM
Joined
Sep 13, 2017
Messages
7,081
Reaction score
8,256
Location
Planet Mopar
I saw this posted some where and remembered seeing it but didn't need to know at the time and now I can't remember what thread that was on.
If anyone can point me in the right direction, I'd appreciate it. Now I have a project and need to know how to strip this off.
Thanks.
 
Seems like I remember they used easy off oven cleaner?????
 
IMG_4542.JPG


https://www.forbbodiesonly.com/mopa...p-new-residence.114133/page-21#post-910812706
 
Last edited:
I recently read a thread from someone who used this stuff and he said it worked really well.

Jestco Products Buffing Supply

You need to find a tray or pan large enough to soak your part in as it takes a while. He said it left a nice surface to polish which seems to be a big advantage over the usual Easy Off removal processes. I stripped a bunch of aluminum trim last year to refinish for someone, using Easy Off which left a rough finish and required a lot of sanding before polishing. I then tried Greased Lightning and it worked but it's slow - has to soak quite awhile and it's only good for one use which means going through a lot of it and disposing of it if you have a lot of parts.

Next time I'm going to try the Jestco product.
 
Crystal Drain Cleaner, if you can find it, boils it off anodizing in a solution and you can then fine sand and highly polish the aluminum with a rouge I recall. Health and explosive gas warnings. Sorry not more specific.
 
I second funknut on the Zep product. Sodium Hydroxide is the active ingredient and it does a great job of removing the hard coat anodize. Because it comes in a liquid form, it evenly attacks the surface and doesn't dry up. I never tried easy off, but it was really expensive to buy just one can and I was afraid it would be uneven...and possibly dry up before the hard coat was removed. With the Zep product, you can pull the part out and check it periodically and if it's not all the way through the hard coat….you just dunk it back in the liquid.
 
I prefer the house brand / generic oven cleaner over name brands, even Easy Off heavy duty.

Wear gloves and stay upwind while you spray it. Coat the pieces thoroughly, and let it soak for five to ten minutes. The foam will start out white and it will probably take two or three more "spray and soak" sessions. Once it starts to strip the anodizing, you'll know it's working because the foam will turn a gray or brownish color. DO NOT let it dry on there! Use gloved hands or pliers to hold each piece while spraying it with high pressure COLD water to rinse it off and neutralize the lye. It isn't unusual for some anodizing to remain (especially in grooves and corners) so it may take another coat or two using the same procedure. Just keep the oven cleaner off your skin and definitely out of your eyes.

Blow it all off with compressed air and you'll be ready to start repairing defects and polishing. A good resource to get you up to speed, An Introduction to Buffing and Polishing, can be found on CaswellPlating.com in the downloads.

Good luck!
 
QOTHL said:
I saw this posted some where and remembered seeing it but didn't need to know at the time and now I can't remember what thread that was on.
If anyone can point me in the right direction, I'd appreciate it. Now I have a project and need to know how to strip this off.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Check out this video. It looks like it works great.
 
I've seen Evapo-Rust take all of the anodizing off parts with ease.

I'd test a small piece first...
 
I got a shelf full of all manner of oven cleaners and assorted other stuff that supposedly all
removes the anodizing on old trim. They're all gathering dust because none of them work
and all my wheelwell trim and such remain ugly and on another shelf as a result.
I see two more I am willing to try now though, so thanks @AR67GTX and @wvmarv ! :thumbsup:
 
for long pieces of side trim get a long piece of gutter silicone end caps on soaking pan
 
Alsd65 said:
Crystal Drain Cleaner, if you can find it, boils it off anodizing in a solution and you can then fine sand and highly polish the aluminum with a rouge I recall. Health and explosive gas warnings. Sorry not more specific.
Click to expand...


How do I mix it?
 
I'll save you the trouble:) (What he posted)

The Lye crystals will completely strip the anodizing off. Mix in cold water as per instructions, the water will warm itself up. Once you place a piece in, in a minute or 2 it will be gurgling and smouldering.
A rear tail panel piece submerged in the picture below. It's a clear picture, that is just the fizzing that's going on. From there you can finish off with some sanding, repairs, then give it a buff. Try out an old piece. The bottle in the previous picture is 6 or 7 bucks I recall.

img_1015-jpg.jpg

The lower headlight door was dipped in the lye crystals.
img_1042-jpg.jpg

If you've been labouring away with oven cleaner the 100% pure lye crystals will be a treat.
 
khryslerkid said:
I'll save you the trouble:) (What he posted)

The Lye crystals will completely strip the anodizing off. Mix in cold water as per instructions, the water will warm itself up. Once you place a piece in, in a minute or 2 it will be gurgling and smouldering.
A rear tail panel piece submerged in the picture below. It's a clear picture, that is just the fizzing that's going on. From there you can finish off with some sanding, repairs, then give it a buff. Try out an old piece. The bottle in the previous picture is 6 or 7 bucks I recall.

View attachment 1081079
The lower headlight door was dipped in the lye crystals.
View attachment 1081080
If you've been labouring away with oven cleaner the 100% pure lye crystals will be a treat.
Click to expand...


Ok, thanks! I bought 1lb for $4. Do you think it will eat a plastic tote? I found a nice one at Wal Damn Mart that is about 36" long and has a lid.

Somehow lye and treat in the same sentence sounds weird :):D.
 
QOTHL said:
Ok, thanks! I bought 1lb for $4. Do you think it will eat a plastic tote? I found a nice one at Wal Damn Mart that is about 36" long and has a lid.

Somehow lye and treat in the same sentence sounds weird :):D.
Click to expand...

I don't know. I've never done it before.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

#41
How To Remove Mirror Glass?
Replies
6
Views
913
Fran Blacker
Fran Blacker
davek
How to remove switches/sliders off
Replies
14
Views
685
davek
davek
GassMann
Missing 66 Charger rear window stainless trim
Replies
4
Views
552
RemCharger
RemCharger
forron
64 Sport Fury Foor Panel Trim Install
Replies
3
Views
343
AR67GTX
AR67GTX
RXTREME
Do i need to drain radiator fluid before removing radiator and engine?
Replies
2
Views
577
1 Wild R/T
1 Wild R/T
Auto Transport Service
Back
Top