Black/Anodized Parts Question

[Gandalf]

Not to hijack this thread but since it has the attention of some people with anodizing experience - I have a question......

I'm about to have my aluminum dry sump tank and breather tank anodized. Hard anodizing sounded like the way to go and only slight increase in price. However, the tank has both male and female threaded ports (mostly -AN style). I am concerned about the ability to get the -AN lines reconnected to these ports after being anodized. Is it ok to have these threads anodized also or do I have them masked off? Masking costs extra and takes an extra week.

Can anyone share their experience with anodizing similar parts?

G.

[SLO_Z28]

Originally Posted by Gandalf

Not to hijack this thread but since it has the attention of some people with anodizing experience - I have a question......

I'm about to have my aluminum dry sump tank and breather tank anodized. Hard anodizing sounded like the way to go and only slight increase in price. However, the tank has both male and female threaded ports (mostly -AN style). I am concerned about the ability to get the -AN lines reconnected to these ports after being anodized. Is it ok to have these threads anodized also or do I have them masked off? Masking costs extra and takes an extra week.

Can anyone share their experience with anodizing similar parts?

G.

Ive only done that once, and I didnt have a problem with it, the fitting worked perfectly. I know black is a very hard color to get right, it comes out brown if youre a amateur like me

[parsonsj]

I second the recommendation that you finish aluminum before anodizing. Polishing or shot-peening, whatever. Just make sure all the surface finish is the same. And be sure to have all the parts done at the same time if possible.

If you are going to anodize welded parts, use 5356 rod for filler material (rather than 4043). 4043 doesn't anodize well.

The best part about black anodizing is that blemishes can be repaired with a Sharpie.

For door handles, I'd recommend powder coat. I think you'll find that more durable, and it will hold up better over time to UV radiation.

jp

[Gandalf]

Thanks for the info guys. All parts are brand new so the finish is fresh and uniform on the tanks straight from Peterson (who used a specific weld material, knowing that I would be having them anodized).

I'm having everything done by a profesional anodizing company. In fact they encouraged me to bring in other small parts since the price would remain the same.

Does anyone have experience specifically with threaded parts and hard anodizing (not soft although it would be good to compare).

G