What you will need:
- distilled water;
- electrolyte for batteries;
- baking soda;
- lead or aluminum electrode;
- drain cleaner;
- power supply or rectifier 12-15V;
- aniline dye for fabric.
Anodizing and painting process
For anodizing, a 19% sulfuric acid solution is prepared. You just need to mix distilled water and electrolyte in a 1:1 ratio.
Next, mix a 3% solution of baking soda in distilled water to neutralize the acid.
Now the container is prepared for anodizing. An all-metal aluminum tank or glass tank with a lead electrode is used.
A 10% sodium lye solution (drain cleaner) is collected in a separate container.
The workpiece for anodizing is suspended on an aluminum wire.If there is only copper or steel, then it cannot be lowered into the solution. The part is washed in alkali and dipped in clean water. Then it is lowered into a container with an electrode and acid.
Now you need to connect the terminals from the power source. “+” is attached to the part, “–” to the electrode or aluminum container. The voltage is set to 10-15V, current 0.8-2 A/dm2. Anodizing lasts 15-25 minutes. As a result of the reaction, gas will be released that should not be inhaled, so take care of ventilation.
At the same time, aniline fabric dye is poured into a container with distilled water, and the solution is brought to 70°C. Then the anodized part is removed, washed in a soda solution and dipped in clean water. Next, it is placed in a dye heated to 70°C. The saturation of the resulting color depends on the soaking time and concentration of the paint solution.
The painted part is rinsed in running water and boiled for 30-45 minutes so that the pores of the oxide film seal the paint. If everything is done correctly, the boiling water will remain clear. When painting with boiling water, the part is washed in alkali, and everything is repeated again more carefully.
The paint does not peel off in the pores, so the method is worth the trouble. If you prepare the coloring solution not concentrated, and dip the workpieces into it for a short time, then as a result, the shine of the metal will be clearly visible through the paint, which looks very beautiful.
