C4 General Discussion General C4 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech

Random Question on Anodizing

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 9, 2006 | 08:21 PM
  #1  
365ZUM's Avatar
365ZUM
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 969
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
Cruise-In III Veteran
Default Random Question on Anodizing

Hey guys- rather random question here, but I've just about decided on an STS Turbo system for my 06' VortecMax 1500, and wanted to know if the piping that comes with the kit could be anodized a different color.
The piping is ceramic coated already, so would this be a problem? The pipe I'm concerned with is the one coming from the intake (the visible one when the hood is open). Do you suppose heat would be a problem? If so, is there a type of anodizing for high heat applications?

Many thanks! I figured the C4 guys are the guys to ask on this one!
Reply
Old Oct 9, 2006 | 09:10 PM
  #2  
tonymax2's Avatar
tonymax2
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,183
Likes: 1
From: MidOhio
Default

I'm not familiar with the system you mentioned but I'm guessing you mean the pipe from an intercooler to the intake manifold. The system manufacturer should be able to tell you how hot that pipe gets and if colored anodizing would work. I would think it would be less than engine room temp. Are you sure it's aluminum? It may be steel and ceramic coated because it's easy to do along with the hi-temp exhaust pipes in the system.

Anodizing is a thin formation of aluminum oxide, which is more or less a "ceramic". It's clear when formed and then sealed with hot water. The color is a dye in the water, so extreme heat would most likely degrade the color over time. The temp is the key. A web search on anodizing would probably give some info on temp limits for colored anodizing if the manufacturer can't help. Good luck
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2006 | 02:47 AM
  #3  
scranage's Avatar
scranage
Burning Brakes
Supporting Lifetime
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 908
Likes: 1
From: Colorado Springs Colorado
Default

You can only anodize bare aluminum. The process doesn't actually color the part, but leaves pores that are then exposed to a dye, and close after being boiled. At least tht's what I recall in a nutshell from when I used to do this at home.
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2006 | 11:49 AM
  #4  
rocco16's Avatar
rocco16
Race Director
20 Year Member
Veteran: Air Force
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Default

Originally Posted by tonymax2
Anodizing is a thin formation of aluminum oxide, which is more or less a "ceramic". It's clear when formed and then sealed with hot water. The color is a dye in the water, so extreme heat would most likely degrade the color over time. The temp is the key. A web search on anodizing would probably give some info on temp limits for colored anodizing if the manufacturer can't help. Good luck
tonymax is exactly right about anodizing.
If your piping is ceramic coated, they are probably exhaust tubes, not tubes that carry the intake air. This would mean they are steel. Usually, the intake piping is aluminum and can be anodized...these are the tubes that are most visible anyway.
Put a magnet on them and see what they are....

Larry
code5coupe
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Random Question on Anodizing





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:19 AM.

story-0
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE