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I'm with Ted. Anodizing small parts is fairly straightforward and pretty cheap. If you can build an airplane, anodizing is childs play. If you search online, you'll find small kits for doing just this.
Of course, it's easier just to send them out. If you can find someone to do a whole batch for $100, and you do everything at once, you'll probably be break even at least and it's way easier. Problem is, you rarely get everything at once...there's always something you missed or want to change your mind on. Most importantly, though, it's neat to point to something and say "I anodized it myself", and hear a bunch of burely custom bike and hotrod guys let out a collective, "Ewhhhhhhhhh, Ahhhhhhhhh." |
I did not anodise any parts on my RV as I don't like the way that some of the colored parts fade. I didn't like the flashy look of chrome, so I found the best alternative was electroless nickel plating. When polished it looks like chrome but with a slightly golden, rather than blue, tinge. However, I chose a satin finish for my canopy rails, slider latch, rudder pedals and flap tubing. It isn't porous like chrome, much harder wearing and scratch resistant and doesn't introduce hydrogen embrittlement.
Martin in Oz |
Anodizing
Thanks Guys
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The typical colored anodize is what they call Type II and the color is not much more than an organic dye. Indeed, it fades in sunlight, just look at any boat. I would suggest Type III hard anodize, not only is it a bit tougher, but the light gray/pewter hue it has doesnt fad as bad. Also, as pointed out, the finish of the material will dictate to a large degree how nice the finish looks. The ultimate in shine is from polishing first, then anodizing. Personaly, for a part that is going to see some abuse (sliders, etc) I would put an even "grain" on it with 400 grit sand paper or a scotchbrite pad, and let the anodize have a slightly textured, dull sheen. Alot of abuse and weathering wont change its looks as much as a polished one will, which tend to magnifiy blemishes.
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