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Help needed for anodizing aluminum product

I am a small manufacturer of an aluminum tool which is basically a flat plate of .063 6061 aluminum. I wish to have it anodized in a grey satin finish. Three different anodizing places have not been able to provide a uniformity of finish needed to make the final product acceptable to us, and they all seem to be unable to explain why. Is there some pre-step in anodizing that we are not aware of that will make the finish uniform and clean looking besides tumbling? We are at our wits end. Any help is welcome.

Michael Ginex
small manufacturer - New York, USA
2004

Try a "clear caustic etch" prior to the clear anodize, all anodizing companies that we have used suggest this type of a deep cleaning to help keep the color uniform and give that satin finish. It has only cost us $15 - $20 additional to the anodizing on a lot charge. You may want to try it without tumbling the parts, for some reason, I've noticed more staining on clear anodized aluminum if its been tumbled.

Lucy Hatch
job shop - Beverly, Massachusetts
2004

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It is extremely difficult to get the current evenly on a flat plate that thin. Do not use titanium, and make contact in several places. Gray dye is also very difficult. It is the worse color to match. Be sure mechanical preparation and abrasives have not embedded any foreign iron or other crap into the soft Kleenex-like aluminum.

Robert H Probert
Robert H Probert Technical Services

Garner, North Carolina

2004

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