Ugly gold anodized finish on forks

driller · 07-13-2007, 01:14 AM

First off, Hello everybody!

Has anybody tried to remove the gold finish from the forks?

I google searched "removing anodized finish"and saw that a lye solution will remove anodized finish without harming the aluminum.

knothead · 07-13-2007, 01:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by driller

First off, Hello everybody!

Has anybody tried to remove the gold finish from the forks?

I google searched "removing anodized finish"and saw that a lye solution will remove anodized finish without harming the aluminum.

By it's nature an anodized finish is part of the base metal, therefore it's impossible to remove without damaging the metal. Don't mess with lye, it's bad news. Better to take care of the color with a rattlecan.

czowner · 07-13-2007, 03:16 AM

The gold finish fades quite rapidly in the sun, the portion behind the headlight is still OK but further down they have definitly faded quite badly.

Jonathan.

TeamCheap · 07-13-2007, 05:19 AM

If the gold anodizing is removed wouldnt you be left with bare aluminum which in it selt will start to oxidize and look very bad.

You could strip/sand/polish the aluminum but you'd probably need to clear coat it to keep it looking good.

fatboy250 · 07-13-2007, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by czowner

The gold finish fades quite rapidly in the sun, the portion behind the headlight is still OK but further down they have definitly faded quite badly.

Jonathan.

Same here. I was thinking about repainting in the future.

Savage · 07-13-2007, 04:17 PM

I believe Oven Cleaner will strip anodized aluminum without harming it.

I like my gold forks. Looks like a high dollar hopup.

knothead · 07-13-2007, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Savage

I believe Oven Cleaner will strip anodized aluminum without harming it.

8O 8O 8O 8O

M'kay... I can't let that go, while it is funny to me, if he actually tried that it would ruin his forks in a big stinky cloud of smoke.

If anyone wonders at this, go outside and spray oven cleaner on a soda can... just stand back when you do it.

driller · 07-13-2007, 09:11 PM

When I googled "removing anodized finish from aluminum" I found these two results

http://www.1962to1965mopar.ornocar.org/ml-sandersj.html

http://www.finishing.com/412/93.shtml

I would like to try it on some test pieces before I would dare to try it on the forks.

I have't gotten my bike yet but when I do I HATE that gold finish.

Thanks for your attention guys I feel very comfortable with this purchase thanks to your wealth of knowledge, this site is great!

knothead · 07-13-2007, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by driller

When I googled "removing anodized finish from aluminum" I found these two results

http://www.1962to1965mopar.ornocar.org/ml-sandersj.html

http://www.finishing.com/412/93.shtml

I would like to try it on some test pieces before I would dare to try it on the forks.

I have't gotten my bike yet but when I do I HATE that gold finish.

Thanks for your attention guys I feel very comfortable with this purchase thanks to your wealth of knowledge, this site is great!

Hmmm, well looks like I might have been wrong. I have always though that anodizing was more than just a coating and that it went into the metal. I know that aluminum gets anodized to improve it's wear characteristics.... oh well!

Jim · 07-13-2007, 09:42 PM

why not just paint over it?

Savage · 07-13-2007, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knothead

Quote:

Originally Posted by Savage

I believe Oven Cleaner will strip anodized aluminum without harming it.

8O 8O 8O 8O

M'kay... I can't let that go, while it is funny to me, if he actually tried that it would ruin his forks in a big stinky cloud of smoke.

If anyone wonders at this, go outside and spray oven cleaner on a soda can... just stand back when you do it.

We do it in the R/C world all the time. Your R/C comes with a blue chassis and you want it shiny. Oven cleaner, wet sand to polish it up, then polish it off.
Our forks wouldn't polish up worth a hoot though since they a full of ridges.

AZ200cc · 07-13-2007, 10:26 PM

WHy not just have them powder coated?

knothead · 07-13-2007, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Savage

Quote:

Originally Posted by knothead

Quote:

Originally Posted by Savage

I believe Oven Cleaner will strip anodized aluminum without harming it.

8O 8O 8O 8O

M'kay... I can't let that go, while it is funny to me, if he actually tried that it would ruin his forks in a big stinky cloud of smoke.

If anyone wonders at this, go outside and spray oven cleaner on a soda can... just stand back when you do it.

We do it in the R/C world all the time. Your R/C comes with a blue chassis and you want it shiny. Oven cleaner, wet sand to polish it up, then polish it off.
Our forks wouldn't polish up worth a hoot though since they a full of ridges.

I'm behind the times then. I haven't tried it lately, but last I knew oven cleaner would eat aluminum in short order. I've seen it used on someones aluminum wheels once and it pitted them beyond repair. We used to make "bombs" with overn cleaner and strips of aluminum... same idea, the cleaner would dissolve the aluminum and let off a lot of gas and heat. Is there something to this I'm missing??

Savage · 07-13-2007, 10:46 PM

I have no clue. I've just followed others tips and experience.

07-13-2007, 01:14 AM	#1
driller Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Lawrence, Ks. Posts: 195	Ugly gold anodized finish on forks First off, Hello everybody! Has anybody tried to remove the gold finish from the forks? I google searched "removing anodized finish"and saw that a lye solution will remove anodized finish without harming the aluminum.
	0

07-13-2007, 10:26 PM	#12
AZ200cc Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Show Low Arizona Posts: 2,889	WHy not just have them powder coated? __________________ <br />2001 Suzuki DR200SE<br />1997 Suzuki RM250 YIKES<br />1995 Yamaha Breeze 125 daughters<br />1991 Honda XR80r Restored<br />maybe a 2003 Yamaha TTR90
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07-13-2007, 03:16 AM	#3
czowner Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: North East England Posts: 313	The gold finish fades quite rapidly in the sun, the portion behind the headlight is still OK but further down they have definitly faded quite badly. Jonathan.
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07-13-2007, 05:19 AM	#4
TeamCheap Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: directly under the earths sun............NOW Posts: 2,302	If the gold anodizing is removed wouldnt you be left with bare aluminum which in it selt will start to oxidize and look very bad. You could strip/sand/polish the aluminum but you'd probably need to clear coat it to keep it looking good.
	0

07-13-2007, 04:17 PM	#6
Savage Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 732	I believe Oven Cleaner will strip anodized aluminum without harming it. I like my gold forks. Looks like a high dollar hopup.
	0

07-13-2007, 09:11 PM	#8
driller Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Lawrence, Ks. Posts: 195	When I googled "removing anodized finish from aluminum" I found these two results http://www.1962to1965mopar.ornocar.org/ml-sandersj.html http://www.finishing.com/412/93.shtml I would like to try it on some test pieces before I would dare to try it on the forks. I have't gotten my bike yet but when I do I HATE that gold finish. Thanks for your attention guys I feel very comfortable with this purchase thanks to your wealth of knowledge, this site is great!
	0

07-13-2007, 09:42 PM	#10
Jim Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Abbotsford, BC, Canada Posts: 4,880	why not just paint over it?
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07-13-2007, 10:46 PM	#14
Savage Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 732	I have no clue. I've just followed others tips and experience.
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