anodizing + front panel work question
Jun 30, 2008 at 6:36 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 9

el_matt0

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If I'm planning to create some sort of an inlay / depression in a black anodized front panel (via front panel express), I assume that when I receive it back the "depression" will be silver in color, since only the surface of the black aluminum is anodized? Am i correct in my assumption? Is there any way to work around this, or is the only solution to get it re-anodized after having the milling work done? Is that an acceptable solution, will the anodize finish coat both the un-anodized and the already anodized surfaces evenly, for a smooth finish? Lastly, does anyone know of any places that would offer that service if I were to ship the panel to them - is it expensive?
 
Jun 30, 2008 at 7:08 AM Post #2 of 9
Yes, any machined surface will be "silver" with FPE.
And... I inquired about having FPE anodize a machined panel once and their quote was roughly twice of what a local anodizer wanted for the same thing.
If you choose to go this route order a raw panel from FPE, there is no sense paying a premium for a finish that will ultimately have to be removed.
wink.gif
 
Jun 30, 2008 at 7:39 AM Post #3 of 9
thanks for the tip, ill do just that then, and most likely order up a chassis without a front panel at all, and get a raw one like you said from FPE. any recommendations on a place to get it anodized? I'm not sure of what type of shop to look for (I'm in vancouver, bc, canada).
 
Jun 30, 2008 at 8:39 AM Post #4 of 9
Here is a cheap workaround. If you want the engraved parts to be black (on a black panel), just color it with a fine sharpie pen (permanent ink).
 
Jun 30, 2008 at 5:21 PM Post #5 of 9
Quote:

Originally Posted by amb /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Here is a cheap workaround. If you want the engraved parts to be black (on a black panel), just color it with a fine sharpie pen (permanent ink).


I'd expect that'd be fairly visibly obvious to anyone with a keen or observing eye for aesthetics though??? I mean, what I'm hoping to do it on is going to be roughly a 2cm by 1cm "indentation", so something of an area that large would show up as noticeably different finish from the rest of the front panel, would it not? I assume you are moreso referring to doing this in smaller areas of engraving, where I could see it working. I usually just find when coloring things "black" with sharpie, that sharpies arent truly black, they are somewhat of an off-shade of very dark purple, and its hard to get a consistent opaque finish without having observable "pen-lines".
 
Jun 30, 2008 at 5:26 PM Post #6 of 9
Quote:

Originally Posted by el_matt0 /img/forum/go_quote.gif
any recommendations on a place to get it anodized?


phonebook.

I find these type of things are best dealt with locally for 2 reasons. turn-around times (no shipping) and if something is not right, it's easier to deal with in person.
 
Jun 30, 2008 at 5:36 PM Post #7 of 9
someone kindly actually PM'd me the link to this place.

welcome to Altech Anodizing Ltd.

Looks like they are at least "fairly" local to me, within a drive at least, so at worst I could just courier it to them. Anyhow, if someone with the knowhow doesnt mind taking a quick look at their web-page, what kind of anodizing would i want for just your basic aluminum? Is "standard anodizing" (offered by most chassis companies for example) the sulphuric kind that they offer in various colors? Or....?
 

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