Re: [CR]cleaning anodized finish?

(Example: Framebuilders:Bernard Carré)

Date: Wed, 19 Feb 2003 19:09:03 -0500
From: "Pete Rutledge" <prutledge1@comcast.net>
Subject: Re: [CR]cleaning anodized finish?
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
References: <5.1.1.6.2.20030219080702.01e652e0@pop3.norton.antivirus>


Ann,

My cranks weren't too beat up--tiny black spots here and there and larger areas where the anodize was worn off from being rubbed by the toe straps. But the extent to which they are beat up does not determine how long you treat them with the Easy-Off. The idea of the Easy-Off is to remove all of the anodize, so that you will be able to polish the bare aluminum. I proceeded cautiously because I wasn't sure what the Easy-Off would do to the aluminum if left it on too long. A total of 12 minutes would be about right for what I did. As to whether Mother's would work well on its own--it won't do anything at all to the aluminum until you get the anodized finish off. And once you strip off the anodized finish, the aluminum will be bare and it will be subject to oxidizing (tarnishing) again, so you will have to re-polish them again periodically. A good coat of wax after polishing will keep them shiny longer by keeping the oxygen in the air away from the bare aluminum. I stripped my cranks because the anodized finish had aged to the point where the cranks looked dull and whitish. At least now when they get dull I can do something about it--easily.

Pete Rutledge
Woodbridge, VA


----- Original Message -----
From: ADP
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Sent: Wednesday, February 19, 2003 8:19 AM
Subject: [CR]cleaning anodized finish?



> I've been following the thread on cleaning anodized parts with great
> interest. So far, I've Simichromed my Record hubset to a beautiful shine,
> and I'd like the rest of the group to match.
>
> I'm going to repost Ken and Pete's posts to ask some specific questions...
>
> >Ken,
> >
> >
> >Thanks again. Your advice was great. Did my Campy Record cranks today.
> >Turned out great--they shine like a mirror--just like you said. I did find
> >out that the new, improved, no odor Easy-Off doesn't work--it's not lye.
> >Got the "original" Easy-Off and that did the trick. Also found it useful to
> >use a small utility brush to move the Easy-Off around the surface while it
> >worked--it helped it attack the surface more uniformly. I proceeded
> >cautiously--leaving it on only about 3 minutes at a time at first; repeated
> >the application a few times.
>
> Pete - were your cranks pretty beat up? I ask, because it sounds as if you
> treated them for about 12 minutes. Mine have minor discolorations, but no
> real scratches.
>
> > The aluminum turned blackish, like you said.
> >I even did a little sanding with 400, 600, 1000, and 1500 grit paper to
> >remove (or at least improve) some of the nicks; again, Mother's brought it
> >back to a mirror shine. What a difference from the dull, whitish cast it
> >had before!
>
> Where did you get the Mother's aluminum polish? Does NOT sound like the
> stuff I use on my Calphalon pots and pans. I wonder of the Mother's would
> work well on it's own.
>
>
>
> >Pete
> >Woodbridge, VA
> >----- Original Message -----
> >From: <Huemax@aol.com>
> >To: <prutledge1@comcast.net>; <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> >Sent: Saturday, February 15, 2003 1:52 PM
> >Subject: Re: [CR]How can I strip the clearcoat from Campy cranks?
> >
> >
> >
> > > Hi, Pete,
> > >
> > > Use Easy Off Oven cleaner, ware your glove and eye protector.
> > >
> > > After you spray, it will turn "black", do not worry it is O.K.
> > > It only takes 3 to 5 min. to take off anodized finish, use prenty
> > > of warm water to wash off, and use Mother's Aluminum Polish
> > > to finish up, it will shine like a mirror finish. I have done 3 times
> > > in this way.
>
> Hey Ken, - I just want to be sure about something... Does the oven cleaner
> actually remove the anodized finish? Isn't that bad? Assuming that Easy
> Off does remove the anodization from the cranks, doesn't that mean they
> will oxidize again in time - that this treatment will need to be repeated
> on a regular basis?
>
> > >
> > > KEN TODA, High Point, NC, 20 minutes away from our Webmaster!
>
>
> Finally, could I also do this with the brakes and other aluminum parts?
>
> Ann Phillips - Atlanta GA
> (who would like to have one bike clean enough to eat off of)