Aluminum Protection in the prop world

[Brucelee42]

I asked this in general modeling, but was advised to ask here as well..

I was wondering what advice/opinions anyone had on aluminum and prop models. I am offereing up some parts which have polished aluminum bits and I was wondering is it best to just leave them like that so that its up to the owner to maintain, or get them clear anodized so they don't oxidize (or what ever it is that aluminum does) over time.

Your advice would be much appreciated! Thanks!

 

[Rebelscum]

alum does oxidize, you have that correct. when I was testing how to preserve the look of the aluminum chess surface on my holochess tables, I ended up with an alodine process, which stops the oxidation and doesn't affect the look of the aluminum. clear anodizing does change the look. Places that do anodizing, do alodine as well.

 

[gjw]

All the clear anodize that I've ever seen has left the part with a sort of cloudy matte appearance.
Looks neat (I think) but it might not be appropriate to the prop represented.

 

[Brucelee42]

Thanks I will look into that! Going to visit the metal finishing facility soon.

 

[Vaderman]

Hmmm. I had looked into a clear powder coating for my R2 dome a while back, but had not heard about the alodine process...

Philip, did your table have that on it already at CV?

Also, of course, there is spray clear, which can really wipe out the finish. I was also considering wax.

 

[Rebelscum]

Yes, it did have it on there.

Hmmm. I had looked into a clear powder coating for my R2 dome a while back, but had not heard about the alodine process...

Philip, did your table have that on it already at CV?

Also, of course, there is spray clear, which can really wipe out the finish. I was also considering wax.

 

[Blitzneko]

Aluminum oxidizes instantly on contact with the air, covering the surface of the object with a clear & very strong coating of AL-oxide. There really isn't a need to coat it with anything unless its in a extreme environment like the ocean.

 

[Brucelee42]

Aluminum oxidizes instantly on contact with the air, covering the surface of the object with a clear & very strong coating of AL-oxide. There really isn't a need to coat it with anything unless its in a extreme environment like the ocean.

That has become my plan with the polished pieces. I am still anodizing the parts I want to be black. Thanks for the input!

 

[Zombie Killer]

I have this turntable and i use to have to polish the towers evey year. Last time i did it i clear coated them. Here is a pic. The main chassie is just regular anodizing. The spindle lock is clear coated from the factory and is a bright clear. I used regular rustoleum clear on the towers and here is the result. At least i haven't had to polish it the last 3 years.

 

[TENGU]

Does annodizing deter or stop the oxidizing process? I have a GREEN LANTERN ring that is annodized and I was wondering if it is safe.