How to remove anodizing from aluminum trim, need help

[funknut]

Lye shouldn't damage a tote/storage container. Good luck!

 

[dadsbee]

Note what my apparatus is ! Just a propeller shipping box lined with 6mil vapour barrier...

 

[QOTHL]

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!

Thanks for the help. I'm familiar with oven/BBQ cleaner. I had to use it on my exhaust on my 'Cuda because of poor installation of the PS pump that leaked and blew crap all over it and baked on. I will say from this experience that malex advice for lye crystals really worked well. I just had to find a large enough container, fill it with enough water put it in and wait. I'm lazy and this allowed me to go do something else while those parts cooked in there. This process would save you the trouble of having to watch and make sure it doesn't dry out. Nooks and crannies are no problem.

 

[QOTHL]

Seems like I remember they used easy off oven cleaner?????

Thanks for letting me know - I've tried the lye crystals recommended by malex and that really works, just in case you need to do its.

 

[QOTHL]

Thanks for everyones help! As stated in another post, I'm lazy and try to find the best way to do something with the least effort. Thanks to Khryslerkid remembering a post by malex, I tried the lye bath. This allows you to go do something else and probably works better than oven cleaner.
Malex, YOU are the man!

Nice cheap plastic tote from WDM worked well and I can put the lid on if necessary:

How it looks after lye bath with some of the scum cleaned off: