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Posted: 12/4/2013 7:24:50 AM EDT
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I'm about to do my first 80% lower and was looking at ways to anodize it. I also want the upper to match.
I understand it takes a chemical process to remove anodizing. Can I media blast the upper and remove just the color so it can be dyed a different color? Was gonna try to DIY anodize with battery acid, battery charger, and Rit dye. Looking to dye them a bronze color like the wheel below. 
This is basically what I have and want them the same color. 
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Media blasting will completely remove the anodizing, as will any chemical removal process.
Caswell sells anodizing kits, which could be more than you are looking to spend on just a personal project, but the dyes they sell might help you out. http://www.caswellplating.com/electroplating-anodizing/anodizing-products.html However, there is no guarantee they will match perfectly. Since it is basically a controlled oxidation process, it is practically impossible to make sure the color comes out perfect every time. A multitude of variables can change the shade just slightly, even in the same bath, which is the reason for mismatched receiver sets on production rifles. The easiest route might be Cerakote. |
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Quoted:
Media blasting will completely remove the anodizing, as will any chemical removal process. Caswell sells anodizing kits, which could be more than you are looking to spend on just a personal project, but the dyes they sell might help you out. http://www.caswellplating.com/electroplating-anodizing/anodizing-products.html However, there is no guarantee they will match perfectly. Since it is basically a controlled oxidation process, it is practically impossible to make sure the color comes out perfect every time. A multitude of variables can change the shade just slightly, even in the same bath, which is the reason for mismatched receiver sets on production rifles. The easiest route might be Cerakote. Nice. Thanks for the info. I'm not completely set on having the receivers match perfect. The rail will be a Geissele Sand color so it will be off anyway. And yeh I'm not looking to spend a ton, but I may invest in some good dye. |
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My best most sincere advice is to either take the pieces to an anodizing shop and have it done properly, or get a quality kit and do it yourself properly. If you notice, the consistent theme in my recommendation is to do it properly. A hacked-together anodize job with a battery charger and fabric dye is just going to give you disappointment and headaches.
If you're hell-bent on DIY (which is fine. I do it and I'm no Einstein) Go here: http://www.focuser.com/atm/anodize/anodize.html At the very least do yourself a favor and buy their book, but better yet buy a kit with proper dye and chemicals. I also highly recommend a proper power supply. The book is critical. Trust me. You don't know what you don't know. The book will fix that. |
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Quoted:
My best most sincere advice is to either take the pieces to an anodizing shop and have it done properly, or get a quality kit and do it yourself properly. If you notice, the consistent theme in my recommendation is to do it properly. A hacked-together anodize job with a battery charger and fabric dye is just going to give you disappointment and headaches. If you're hell-bent on DIY (which is fine. I do it and I'm no Einstein) Go here: http://www.focuser.com/atm/anodize/anodize.html At the very least do yourself a favor and buy their book, but better yet buy a kit with proper dye and chemicals. I also highly recommend a proper power supply. The book is critical. Trust me. You don't know what you don't know. The book will fix that.  Good Stuff Thanks.
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