My experience with annodizing has been primarily with non-ferous metals in
the custom fabrication of architectural metal work for buildings (I'm an ar-ke
y-tekt). It's intended for aluminum and aluminum alloys. It is a process
where the component to be anodized is attached to electrodes and placed into
a chemical bath. Then, a calculated electrical charge is introduced through
the item which chemically alters a few thousandths of the surface material to
produce the desired result.
Depending on the size of the company you go to, there are many colors
possible in addition to several different grades of anodizing, although the
colors would be limited to those that are their standard. The highest (and
obviously most expensive) grade would produce a marine quality item. Most
manufacturers of sail boat equipment us this process and grade because it
provides an extremely durable and corrosion resistant surface while keeping
added weight to a minimum. This process does not paint or coat, per se, it
changes the composition and color of the outer surface of the material. You
may have also heard of the term "hard anodizing" for treatments done to
firearms, knives, etc.
The biggest problem I have seen with anodizing has been with the consistency
of the base material to be treated. If the alloy and graining is not
consistent throughout the item, there will be differentials in color tone and
hardness. I've even seen areas that had not accepted the treatment.
Basically, that item would be scrapped. So, considering the difficulties
we've read about in this forum about the alloy consistency of the scoops,
anodizing may or may not give you what you what you want.
Check the "Yellow" pages (paper or web) for: Aluminum, Alloys, Anodizing,
Plating, etc...... and talk to them at length about what treatments/coatings
they could do. And make sure they see the scoops in person so they can make
a judgement call on the success of your selected treatment. Good luck!
Randy
VMOA #667
'94 stock/yellow
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