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Can Soda Blasting Remove Anodized Coating on Aluminum Auto Trim

I read responses to sandblasting trim, but did not see one with respect to soda blasting aluminum trim.

First, is it aggressive enough to strip the anodized coating off of trim?

If so, will the results be uniform?

Sorry for the elementary questions.

Frank Casadonte
car restorer - Raleigh, North Carolina
February 3, 2011

Hi, Frank.

Aluminum is soft and anodizing is hard, so it's not ideal to blast it at all. Not sure if soda can remove anodizing in a reasonable time. The best way to remove it is to send it to an anodizing shop for stripping in chromic-sulfuric acid. The best way for a hobbyist who is determined to do it himself is probably with a strong form of caustic, like oven cleaner [on eBay or Amazon]. This is time sensitive, as strong caustics will dissolve the raw aluminum as well as the anodizing and your skin and eyes. Good luck, wear PPE, and be careful.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
February 3, 2011

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