Anodizing cast aluminum parts?

[indoorsoccerfrea]

I have read from several sources that cast aluminum is not dense enough to take on color from anodizing, anyone here know if that is true?

 

[IndyMonkey]

Lots of Aluminum race parts get anodized. There are several places in Indy that does this work.

Dang it, I just reread your post and see that you said cast. Sorry but I dont know the answer firsthand.

 

[CountryBoy19]

Anodizing cast can certainly be done, although I wouldn't recommend a beginner to try it as their first project.

I don't have much more info than that, I just know that it can be, and often is done by big manufacturers.

 

[indoorsoccerfrea]

I'm guessing it also has to do with the type of dye used. I've heard regular old clothe dye works well, and then I've also heard you need to use specialty dye. Anyone here do their own anodizing who can chime in?

 

[furbymac]

yes cast aluminum can be anodized. (i work at a company that does aluminum hand rails and all of our fittings are cast and anodized. we get them in silver and bronze colors)

 

[indoorsoccerfrea]

Furbymac, thank you for your input.

 

[nova512]

try burnishing the metal first

 

[indoorsoccerfrea]

try burnishing the metal first

Is there a make-shift way to do this without having to buy burnishing stuff? Such as tumbling the cast piece in a tumbler of sorts? Or hammering the surface?

 

[nova512]

a tumbler is a great way to do it but you have to have the right stuff,there are alot of technics to do it ,,,,, no hammer lol

 

[indoorsoccerfrea]

What about a hammer drill? Obviously I would fabricate some sort of round nosed "bit" that doesn't do any cutting. Any special media if I were to tumble it?