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Anodized Aluminum Kitchen splashback?

2006

Hi,
I am considering trying out an aluminum backsplash in my kitchen, and getting it color anodized. It would just be standard sheet aluminum to keep costs down, and probably 6mm thick.

Just wondering what you think of this,

-if its suitable to the application in terms of getting wet (Being a backsplash)
-will there be discoloration near the stove due to the heat there. (Mind you the flame of the gas burners is a good 150mm away)
-can anodized surfaces be cleaned by your usual kitchen cleaning soaps, etc.

Also would standard anodizing or hard anodizing be required, and is there some way to get a shiny gloss finish on the anodized finish. I have noticed from the anodized parts I have seen that it tends to be a matte finish. Maybe there is something I can coat it with afterwoods to give it a shiny glasslike finish?

I have worked with aluminum and anodized a lot in my automation engineering but never really for this sort of application.

Thanks for any help.

James Thompson
renovator - Melbourne,Vic, Australia

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2006

Some stovetop surfaces on some cooking ranges are aluminum, so regular Type II sulfuric acid anodizing should be okay, although you can't use bleach or caustic cleaners on aluminum. It can be highly reflective if you wish--the reflectors for many types of lighting are anodized aluminum.

But getting a large piece polished and anodized may be more expensive than you'd like.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey

Actually the andizer I called said I could also do a clear powdercoat on top of the anodize finish, maybe that would make it a bit more resistant to scratching, fading and certain cleaners?

James Thompson
- Melbourne,Vic, Australia
2006