How To Repair Anodized Aluminum

#1

Posted 01 March 2022 - 04:25 PM

Every bit an alternative to temporary fixes like Sharpie markers or shoe shine, there is a fashion to permanently and safely repair those little scratches, dings and flea bites that can be found on the black anodizing of Questar Duplex back up rings, eyepieces, accessories, extension tubes, and TriStands.

Gunsmiths know that "bluing" is a chemical oxidation of steel, and at that place are products that do "cold-bluing" to darken worn corners of nighttime blue guns. For blackness anodized aluminum parts like the Field and Duplex back up ring there is a similar solution. Birchwood Casey Aluminum Black Metal Finish is an inexpensive, safe, and constructive fashion to permanently darken those glaring vivid little scratches. I observe that later on it'southward done, there may be a slight "waterspot" visible, just this must be a drying of the surface, because it'south gone after I apply a lilliputian paste wax.

Note that solvents will not remove the blackened coloration like they will markers and other goop. Be conscientious not getting it on parts you lot want to go along bright, or you'll have to sand or machine it away. If working on the typically scratched base of a Field model or Duplex OTA, try to avoid blackening the engraved serial number. I also found that some surfaces are resistant to the consequence, and even some "scrubbing" such as by a cotton wool swab enhances the effectiveness. I would imagine that stubborn cases might be helped by applying it as a wet sanding agent. The treatment works better on fresh naked Aluminum more than than erstwhile naturally oxidized damage.

I took some photos, not trying besides hard to brand this await good like I would in an advertizement.

Before:

collar before

Later:

collar after

Note that with the oblique lighting, the dings are all the same visible, just they have blackened surfaces, non brilliant Aluminum. Other angles and lighting make them unnoticeable.

Below is another test, on the desperately abused moon map covering the tube. This is junk, merely it shows how the harm is less visible when darkened than before. No upshot on the anodized areas.

Before:

tube before

Subsequently:

Edited past Optics Patent, 01 March 2022 - 04:26 PM.

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#2 NC Startrekker

Posted 01 March 2022 - 07:39 PM

Thank you Ben. That'south a not bad tip that may come in handy downwards the road. Alan

#3 Indiana Jones

Posted 01 March 2022 - 08:23 PM

That stuff is great. Nosotros use it on the scopes and binos at work virtually daily.

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#4 Optics Patent

Posted 01 January 2022 - 10:35 AM

Another example, from awful to tolerable.

Before:

Later on:

Dorsum to tiptop