Anodizing side plates

Started by Steve V., October 13, 2025, 12:01:11 AM

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Steve V.

October 13, 2025, 12:01:11 AM
Has anyone tried to strip and then re-anodize the side plates on one of these Ambassadeurs? I want to try and do a custom color on and old beat up reel.

Swami805

#1
October 13, 2025, 12:33:45 AM
I'm no good at posting links but a couple guys have tried DIY. Have a look around here
Do what you can with that you have where you are

oldmanjoe

#2
October 13, 2025, 02:30:19 AM Last Edit: October 13, 2025, 02:36:50 AM by oldmanjoe
Grandpa`s words of wisdom......Joey that thing between your shoulders is not a hat rack.....    use it.....
A mind is like a parachute, it only work`s  when it is open.......
Character is doing the right thing when nobody is looking .   There are too many people who think that the only thing that!s right is to get by,and the only thing that's wrong is to get caught .
The power of Observation   , It`s all about the Details ..
" Life " It`s a thinking man`s game
" I cannot teach anybody anything   I can only make them think "     - Socrates-
 Forget about all the reasons why something may not work. You only need to find one good reason why it will.   Alto Mare

oc1

#3
October 13, 2025, 05:54:25 AM Last Edit: October 13, 2025, 06:00:07 AM by oc1
I thought this one was really good too.
https://alantani.com/index.php?topic=28230.0

Not for the faint of heart.  Mike is a wizard.

oldmanjoe

#4
October 13, 2025, 11:27:55 AM
       
Quote from: oc1 on October 13, 2025, 05:54:25 AMI thought this one was really good too.
https://alantani.com/index.php?topic=28230.0

Not for the faint of heart.  Mike is a wizard.
Steve   That`s the one  I was looking for ,lots of good information .
Grandpa`s words of wisdom......Joey that thing between your shoulders is not a hat rack.....    use it.....
A mind is like a parachute, it only work`s  when it is open.......
Character is doing the right thing when nobody is looking .   There are too many people who think that the only thing that!s right is to get by,and the only thing that's wrong is to get caught .
The power of Observation   , It`s all about the Details ..
" Life " It`s a thinking man`s game
" I cannot teach anybody anything   I can only make them think "     - Socrates-
 Forget about all the reasons why something may not work. You only need to find one good reason why it will.   Alto Mare

jurelometer

#5
October 13, 2025, 05:25:12 PM Last Edit: October 13, 2025, 05:35:21 PM by jurelometer
If you are going to get into anodizing as a DIY activity, be prepared to spend a bunch  of time and go through a bunch of practice parts to get your process down.  Rea-anodizing is trickier and more work than anodizing the part for the first time.

The anodizing process converts the surface of the aluminum to aluminum oxide to depth up to 0.001 inches for type II with bright colored dyes. This layer  is very hard, but porous. The pores are then filled with a colored dye, and plugged up by a sealing process.

None of this is reversible.  Some folks think they have removed the anodizing with household cleaners, but they have probably mostly removed the dye, with much anodized metal remaining.

In order to re-anodize the part, any non-aluminum component needs to be removed, which might be difficult for the handle side ABU plates.  Next, the anodized layer needs to be entirely removed, either by abrasion or by chemicals. The part then needs to be re-polished and anodized again.  If any bit of the old anodized metal remains, it won't take the dye well and the finish can get blotchy, so bright and shiny color finishes (vs a matte black) are trickier.

And since you are taking this reel outdoors, you need to get the sealing process nailed, so that the color doesn't fade too quickly over time.  This is a whole 'nother learning curve that will take some time to find out if you are successful.

I looked into anodizing after seeing some folk in the community shop try it, and  decided that I was not willing to take the plunge.  Hats off to Mike for diving in. 

You can also look into powder coating, which can go over anodized aluminum.  There are some spectacular colors and finishes available. A proper powder coating will be extremely durable, but not as resistant to cosmetic scratches as anodized. This is a much  simpler DIY endeavor than anodizing, but still requires special equipment. The non-aluminum components can be masked over or plugged, as long as they can withstand about 10 minutes or so in a 400 degree oven. 

If you decide to send the parts out to professionals, powder coating will be cheaper than  re-anodizing 

-J
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