Removing anodizing from aluminum revolver

[aterry33]

I did some work on a 442 which messed up the finish. I removed the anodizing and then applied a polymer finish. Works great, but a friend pointed out that without the anodizing the aluminum frames are "fragile." I called S&W and they said while the anodizing does help protect the frame the 442 should be fine with normal use. Does anyone have experiences with this?

I figure it will be fine without the anodizing because it is not an AR rail or any area that will be abused.

 

[tomcatt51]

The anodizing forms a hard(er) skin. It's not structural. Much better IMHO than the clearcoat S&W uses. The downside is the black anodizing really shows scratches. I don't know if S&W does anodizing in other colors. Other finishes, like Birdsong's Black T, might be a better choice. The aluminum, left bare, over time will form an aluminum oxide skin all on it's own which is harder also.

 

[ingmansinc]

Quote>I removed the anodizing and then applied a polymer finish.

And what did you use to remove the anodizing?

 

[aterry33]

And what did you use to remove the anodizing?

Caswell Inc. - LCD Aluminum Anodizing Kit

I used an anodizing stripper.. not crazy about working with chemicals though. Next time I will let the smith do it

 

[ingmansinc]

Caswell Inc. - LCD Aluminum Anodizing Kit

I used an anodizing stripper.. not crazy about working with chemicals though. Next time I will let the smith do it

Let the smith do it is the opinion of many and that is exactly the advise that I am going to heed. Thanks for your reply. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

By the way that is your Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in my avatar.

 

[My Eye!]

Once upon a time, I had a Ruger 10-22 carbine that hadn't been cleaned for---well forever.

I got the great idea of heating up a pan of water with Spic-n-Span on the stove, and boiling the trigger assembly and the aluminum receiver to remove the carbon and gunk.

Well, it did the job, but one unexpected result was the total removal of the anodization which had coated the aluminum parts, leaving them with a dull grey finish. I carefully polished the surfaces with very fine emery cloth finishing up with crocus cloth and wound up with a pretty classy looking rifle.

You might say "Yeah, but you ruined the wear resistant surfaces that the anodization provided." -- and I might agree with you, but I still have the rifle and have shot about a gazillion shells through it over the course of about 25 years with no ill effects.

Soooo, to bring a long story to a quick end, ya might try Spic-n-Span to remove anodization. Jim