Hey guys, im thinking of getting my intercooler anodised dark grey or black so it doesnt draw attention. Does anyone know what the process involves or how much it would roughly cost? I know it would be better than painting it as i dont want to have a layer of paint over the cooler and anodising looks more like a dye. Any feedback is appreciated, thanks

Bump?

It will cost too much mate. In the end it just gave the front a light spray with vht high temp brake disc or caliper spray. Its real fine spray, more like a varnish really. it doesnt need to be primed either so just clean the cooler and spray it straight on.

Well, aluminium is never bare metal - it looks bare - but is *always* covered by a thin layer of sapphire (AL2O3 or aluminium oxide) because aluminium is so reactive it will actually burn in air. ie It is *always* a little anodised...! Now, you can get pitch black aniline dye from most commercial printers and can add that to a little sodium hydroxide solution and spray it on, leave it for a few seconds, like no more than 2 mins and then wash thoroughly with water. Sodium Hydroxide will very effectively dissolve aluminium into aluminium hydroxide and hydrogen gas but it will impose the dye on the existing layer. and effectively acts like anodising if you dont over do it This will improve the heat transfer a bit and by a few applications can make for a relatively even finish if you do it well enough... Go on be my experiment and see what happens Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

Anodising is pretty expensive. Bunnings $2, Matte Black spray paint, very fine coat. Done I painted my lower piping too. (http://members.iinet.net.au/~cjwood/images/turbo/undercooler2.JPG) Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

Niche, i'm finding everything you post is an interesting read my friend. Mite try this myself....on something besides my cooler first though. Practice makes perfect Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

yeah all of Niche's posts seem to be like a computer generated response to people questions lol he's like an electronic encyclopedia, you type in the question and the answer pops up in extreme depth Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

niche should have his own number like bongo 199-niche $3 per sms haha he'd make a killing

I'd be surprised if the anodizing cost more than $100.00

Quote: Originally Posted by Niche Well, aluminium is never bare metal - it looks bare - but is *always* covered by a thin layer of sapphire (AL2O3 or aluminium oxide) because aluminium is so reactive it will actually burn in air. ie It is *always* a little anodised...! Now, you can get pitch black aniline dye from most commercial printers and can add that to a little sodium hydroxide solution and spray it on, leave it for a few seconds, like no more than 2 mins and then wash thoroughly with water. Sodium Hydroxide will very effectively dissolve aluminium into aluminium hydroxide and hydrogen gas but it will impose the dye on the existing layer. and effectively acts like anodising if you dont over do it This will improve the heat transfer a bit and by a few applications can make for a relatively even finish if you do it well enough... Go on be my experiment and see what happens What kind of strength would you advise for the NaOH solution? Is it better to be stronger or weaker? Would it work through a regular spray gun? Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

First of all, this is not real anodising RB26TTVL, true anodising makes the Al2O3 layer thicker and the procedure here can make it a bit porous for a short time. Only do this at your own risk in a spacious area with great ventilation and no kids or pets around and have a hose ready in case you spill something.... Its been years since I've done anything like that but, from what I recall and as a safety suggest make up say 500mls each of 3 lots, such as:- First lot, one heaped teaspoon of anhydrous NaOH in 500mls (put a little of this aside for wiping the ally first) Second, 1 heaped tablespoon Third, 2 heaped tablespoons btw: Wear gloves and put on eye protection, NaOH is *very* corrosive to skin. You will know you have some on you as its very slippery, like soap that wont go away - its actually used to make soap. Raw NaOH is often used as drain cleaner and gives off a lot of heat when added to water, so also be careful when mixing... Any more than 2 and it will dissolve the ally fairly quickly, actually I'd start with the first one and a bit of clean scrap ally. The trick will be to get the aqueous aniline dye in concentrated form, would be a bit like molasses iirc. Add two tablespoons to the first mix and stir thoroughly, pour into a large dish either plastic or glass. Have a second dish with just 2 tablespoons of dye in 500msl of water, make sure this dish is heat resistant glass. Put a little of the first NaOH and water over the ally and use it as a wipe to clean off any grease or finger marks etc but dont leave it there for long. Lay the ally in first dish for say 2 mins, agitate then take out, shake off as much chemical as possible and place in second dish and put it in microwave oven for 5 mins. Take out and wash gently in water, it should be fairly black but cant be sure how robust the dye is, anyway, take a few pics if you can edit: Dont forget to clean up, the NaOH stuff is nasty, dont leave it around. Also when you get started dont leave the ally in the NaOh for longer then you need to, its very good at dissolving aluminium and no smoking as the reaction gives off some hydrogen gas...! Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

just a quick note, not sure how strong the NaOh PH rating is, but anyway add it to the water, dont add the water to it other wise it might boil and spit.

how big is your microwave?

Mines big, but wont fit a cooler, lol

Any sort of heat would be ok really, Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) is the poor mans way of doing something close to real anodising, half the trouble is getting the right dyes... You could probably make up a mix of NaOH and some dye and just spray it on but remember to wash it off fairly soon after, Aluminium will completely dissappear if left in contact with strong NaOh for any length of time...!