rocker panel questions
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Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Rose City Mich
rocker panel questions
can someone tell me what the finish is on our c3 alum rocker panels??? I want to refinish mine but i dont know the proper steps. it seams to have an anodized finish, is it true you can remove the finish with oven cleaner in the sun??? and when removed,cleaned and polished can you buy a spray to recoat simular to the anodized.??HELP PLEASE.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
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From: Somers CT
Yes they are anodized, I was able to freshen up mine by using very fine steel wool with soap and water but you have to be careful not to break thru the finish.
I've never heard of that technique for removing anodizing but it might be possible. You'd have to get the right chemicals to re-apply it, I can't imagine a true anodize meing available in a spray can. I know at least one ingreadiant used is sulfuric acid.
Edit:
You got me curious, here's a guy with all kinds of info. Seems like it might be easier to buy some new ones, that's if you can find some that fit!
http://www.focuser.com/anodize.html
I've never heard of that technique for removing anodizing but it might be possible. You'd have to get the right chemicals to re-apply it, I can't imagine a true anodize meing available in a spray can. I know at least one ingreadiant used is sulfuric acid.
Edit:
You got me curious, here's a guy with all kinds of info. Seems like it might be easier to buy some new ones, that's if you can find some that fit!
http://www.focuser.com/anodize.html
Last edited by TopGunn; Sep 25, 2009 at 01:32 PM.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
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From: Crossville TN
Anodizing is a chemical "plated" finish that is intended to put a more durable (harder) surface on top of soft metals. If you remove the anodizing on your panels, they will be flimsy, soft aluminum which will nick much easier than they do now. It is costly to have them anodized, so you probably don't want to remove that finish. I would recommend that you use some very fine steel wool (#0000) and stroke it in horizontal direction only, so that the surface texture looks consistent. If the color of the aluminum surface is blotchy, you can alway paint them with an aluminum, chrome, or stainless steel colored paint. The anodizing will hold paint well. The '78 stock/standard panels were painted black over the anodizing and they held up quite well.
