It pains me to hear all these testimonials for how wonderful it is to remove anodized finishes from your Campagnolo jewels.This process was applied to the original parts to provide a long lasting barrier to oxidation.Removal accelerates the oxidation process & requires continual refinishing.Besides the anodized finish has a beautiful non-polished luster which can never be revived after removal.For those who adher to the policy of not refinishing paint until it is beyond patina;why ruin a fine anodized finish.
Yeah if the anodizing is gone polish away,but if there is some semblance remaining rejuvenate.Do not destroy.
My .02
Nick Zatezalo Atlanta,Ga
-------Original Message-------
From: Pete Rutledge <prutledge1@comcast.net>
Sent: 02/19/03 07:09 PM
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: Re: [CR]cleaning anodized finish?
>
> 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