| Search our quarter-million Q&As |
Home of the finishing HOTLINE since 1989
-----Blank spots from titanium anode
1999
I'm anodizing small aluminum parts at 24 volts with titanium anode/cathode, until they no longer conduct. Then I color with prismacolor art markers, allow to dry a bit, then rinse with acetone ⇦ on eBay or Amazon [affil link] Flammable! . I get great permanent colors, except the blank spots where my titanium "rack" was touching. I want to minimize these blank spots if possible, any ideas? I wanted to ask before wasting more titanium on crackpot anode designs. :) P.S. If anyone tries prismacolor markers, some colors don't work or will only partially work. When using a blue-green marker only the blue dye penetrates, for example.
Joe Davisson
St. Louis, Missouri
You cannot eliminate the contact point. You would normally use the smallest contact point that will work such as points or knife edges. The contact must be firm enough to offset any part movement from agitation, or it will arc and make a much larger mark. This is trial and error till you find out what is best for your part. Also you would normally try to rack the part in the most out of sight place possible such as a later covered edge or the back of the part or on an ID that is filled later.
James Watts- Navarre, Florida
1999
Sorry! Finishing.com is temporarily Read-Only.
Ted Mooney is retiring but I have several offers to take it over.
We're working hard to make sure we find it the best new home.
