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How to etch and color anodized aluminum

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I need to etch and color letters on anodized aluminum plates for signage for a new building. I haven't done it before and don't know where to start. Being screenprinters we do etch brass. Is it more or less the same process?

Jurina Krynauw
Screenprinters - Stellenbosch, Cape Province, South Africa

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My dear sir, etching and colouring on aluminium plates and alloys is possible. Please provide the full drawing and the procedure being adopted by you so that we can guide you.

Ajeay Kumar
- DELHI, INDIA

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Thank you for the response. All I want to do is the word LABORATORY (In a bold arial font) etched on natural anodised aluminum and filled with blue. The size of plates - 400 mm x 35 mm and lettering - 20 mm high

Jurina Krynauw
Screenprinters - Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa

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I have the same problem of wanting to recoat some bronze coloured anodized aluminum.

Neville Westbury
- Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

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Jurina: Yes, the aluminum can be etched and colored. letter 22035 describes some etching procedures. After etching and desmutting you could anodize, then silk screen the blue filling, then seal. That's one way.

Neville, your problem is a bit different. All of the anodizing needs to be stripped, then the aluminum re-anodized, then re-dyed. Bronze aluminum for outdoor use is usually not done with organic dyes (because of lack of light fastness) but with a special anodize solution that produces a bronze colored anodize or with a "two-step" process that uses metal "dyes".

Ted Mooney, P.E.
finishing.com
Brick, New Jersey

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I trying to etch a alumnium sheet.

I want 3D effects designs to be coloured etching on aluninium sheets.

Please guide me

Thanks

DILIP DODIA
windoors - MUMBAI, MAHARASTRA, INDIA

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Sorry, I don't quite understand what you want, Dilip. Please provide a photo, or a reference, or additional detail. Thanks.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
finishing.com
Brick, New Jersey

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