Has anyone ever anodized a set of wheels??
Not me.
I want to change this color...
To this color...
I can't imagine why
Anodizing is a fairly simple process. Prep the base metal to the finish you want, then have it anodized
The process is basically an electrolytic acid dip, followed by a dip in a dye. Final result can be most any color of the rainbow. Hard Anodize is a different animal, but the process is similar. And a clear anodize (not like you want this) is a 'clear' dye. Raw anodize is VERY receptive to colorings... even a blue
non permanent marker (ask me how I know this)
Since it's not a coating, like paint or powder coating, prep of the base metal is quite important. Any defects will show in the final product.
May be a stretch, but alodine *may* work. The final product is a spiffy golden patina, but the patina depends on the aluminum composition (2024, 6061, etc.), and it may not be that durable if subjected to physical abuse (road crap).
Alodine is readily available at most auto-body jobbers. Can be applied with no major investment in equipment (cotton swabs or a dip tank), but it's poisonous. It's a chromium (or cadmium?) solution. Rubber gloves mandatory (it'll stain your skin a most golden yellow). If you pour it down the drain, do so from Gumby's house.
Rick
