Looking for help/input on anodizing aluminum parts.

[scmurs]

Hey everyone,

We're trying to expand the offerings of our products with some different color choices for our anodized aluminum parts. I had some of our Nytro steering post relocators anodized red and blue and was not very happy with the results. See here:

The color in the photo isn't perfect, but, as you can see, the red aint red, and the blue isn't Yamaha blue. So, what I'm looking for is an anodizing source that knows what I mean when I say "Yamaha Blue" or "Red". Am I asking too much?? I get a little anal about these things, but we want to put out products that everyone will be 110% satisfied with.

Thanks in advance for any help or input.

scmurs

 

[NY AttakGT]

Did you try giving them color codes to use or send them samples to match by visual or photospectrometer? What if you gave them Dupont, Color-rite, or PPG color codes to work off of?

For instance, here is the Dupont color code for Yamaha Blue "J3852K"

--Steve

 

[scmurs]

Steve,

Thanks for the reply. I did bring them a blue ski loop for them to match up colors with. Actually told them that if they didn't think the could do it, don't bother. I wish (hope) anodizing were scientific enough that I could ask them to match a color on a spectrometer, but it appears that isn't the case. I can just imagine the dumbfounded look I would get if I asked them to match a PPG color .

I was hoping that someone on TY might have run into the same problem and could share some information. I've seen some pretty wild anodizing from camouflage on archery products to artistic creations on paintball guns, etc. I'm sure it's possible, just trying to figure out the path of least resistance.

Thanks again,

Scott

 

[bottlerocket]

Polishing the parts before color will make a lot brighter. Hope this works as I have had a bunch of anodizing done in the past.

 

[kinger]

We have never been able to color match and now only anodize in clear to keep the finish of the aluminum.