Anodized finish on aluminium fuzes

[2pounder]

I'd appreciate some ideas on this one;
I've turned an aluminium plug to rep a fuze on a replica Red Queen 42mm shell but the origonal plugs had a grey hard anodised finish. As I remember, it is a complex electrolitic process which I'm sure is described on the web somewhere but what I would like is an easy alternative that will look pretty good. Anyone help please/

Thanks
2pr

 

[SG500]

Hi 2 pounder, this is what it should look like.

Dave.

 

[Chris 42 RQ]

Anodising

Hi 2Pr what you need is a specialist metal plater who does "Anodising" as it is very difficult to achieve this finish at home.
Look in yellow pages and under "electro platers" as most of them also carry out Anodising and ifyou do find someone be very specific about how you want the finished article to be as there are many types available.

 

[glevum]

I've used peterborough plating. They are one of the cheaper plating companies and do a good job.

i'm not sure what they will charge for a one off small item. We normally send a big batch off at a time.

They have a website: http://www.peterboroughplating.co.uk

Frost do a home kit, but I think it will be cheaper to send the shell off.

http://www.frost.co.uk/item_Detail.asp?productID=9141

 

[glevum]

I forgot to mention that it is important to know what spec material you have turned the plug from since not all aluminium anodises well.

 

[2pounder]

anodising

Thanks for replies, I had discounted getting it done at a platers due to expected cost but it might be worth taking it to my nearest to see what they say. I did work in a platting shop many years ago where we did all sorts of treatments incl. hard anodising but its long gone. As to the grade of Al. it turned very cleanly and came fron an aircraft factory so should be ok.

 

[18pounder]

alum finish

have you concidered Galvanising spray paint? Ive seen it used at work and it gives an bright alluminium finish.
Doug

...re edit....
the only other thing you could use is enamel paint (small model humbrol pot) they do a good range of 'metal coat' paint that u can actually polish up to vary the depth of shine.
They might even do an anodized colour.
Failing that just mix up your own shade.

 

[2pounder]

anodising

Just to finish this off (no pun intended), I got budget prices from a couple of platers and both had minimum order charges of 40 or 50. So decided to try paint, used cellulose grey primer filler two thin coats followed by the same but with blending clear laquer added again two thin coats. Quite happy with the effect as its very similar to 40mm plug rep I have but it could be a bit more blue grey and lacks the mottled effect some anodising gives- see SG500's picture. Also the yellow band is a bit orange. Will think hard about doing the stencilling re filling etc.

 

[SG500]

Hi 2 pounder, that's a really good effort, well done!
As for stencling - there is a ridiculous amount on both case and projectile so good luck with that one!!
Dave.

 

[Fuzeman]

Contact WWW.Frost.co.uk they are restoration specialists who can probably help you there tele is 01706 658619
I use their high temp varnish by Eastwoods who they import