Dulling finish on a tyler adaptor

[Malysh]

I have a Mod 640 I carry often with a Tyler high polish alum. finish adaptor. I'd like to dull the finish of the Tyler so it matches the color of the matte stainless steel of the revolver. I don't have access to a bead blaster.
I was thinking I could do this by hand using maybe 400 or 600 wet/dry sand paper but I'm not sure.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Malysh]

I have a Mod 640 I carry often with a Tyler high polish alum. finish adaptor. I'd like to dull the finish of the Tyler so it matches the color of the matte stainless steel of the revolver. I don't have access to a bead blaster.
I was thinking I could do this by hand using maybe 400 or 600 wet/dry sand paper but I'm not sure.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[sar4937]

Bead blasting would remove the anodizing, causing it to look dark grey over time. Lots of parts on over-the-road trucks start out high polished but begin to dull and whiten up with exposure to the elements and cleaners. There may be an aluminum cleaner for wheels or marine use that could give you the change in color you're looking for.

 

[john traveler]

An easy way to remove the colored anodized finish and return it to a natural, flat, aluminum color is to dip it in lye solution. Yes, lye solution like Red Devil drain cleaner. You do have to take precaution though: eye and skin protection as the lye is caustic and will burn or blind you if splashed. Mix up the solution by adding lye crystals to a small stainless or plastic container big enough to hold for full immersion. Use a piece of wire to old the object, and carefully dip into the lye. The reaction is expothermic (gives off heat) so be prepared for it to sizzle and boil on contact. It only takes a minute or so for all the anodizing to be removed, and leave a flat, frosty aluminum finish. Rinse off using water, and dispose of the used solution by pouring down the drain. That flat finish is raw aluminum oxide, and will stay good-looking for a long time.