Down to the metal

[QK9]

I have basic type II and type III HA black LED flashlights and would like to lose the black finish to expose the bare aluminum. Does anyone have a clue as to how to accomplish the task or is it hopeless?

 

[carrot]

Something about Lye........

 

[QK9]

Lye and Aluminum are a dangerous mix!

 

[StarHalo]

Oven cleaner and a scrub brush, but be warned that the resulting slurry that comes off the flashlight is nasty toxic :sick2:

 

[1996alnl]

Or you can use an angle grinder and mount a round wire brush to it,that's probably the quickest way.
Then use very fine sandpaper to smooth it out.

 

[yellow]

try to find a shop that does anodizing and have them put the disassembled parts into the solution - easiest way

(Then, have it anodized without any color. Makes the metal finish You like, but a sturdy one. Bare Alum is no good)

 

[ANDREAS FERRARI]

Using lye is the easiest way I know but is really messy.Watch out for the toxic fumes!

 

[1996alnl]

try to find a shop that does anodizing and have them put the disassembled parts into the solution - easiest way

(Then, have it anodized without any color. Makes the metal finish You like, but a sturdy one. Bare Alum is no good)

Why is bare aluminum no good?

 

[bogeymachine]

bare Aluminum will oxidize (rust, kinda), hence anodizing

Why is bare aluminum no good?

 

[Yoda4561]

Bare aluminum on a flashlight won't really hurt anything, but it will scratch extremely easily as well as possibly staining clothing with a black residue.

 

[cerberuss]

I like bare aluminum, scratches don't look prominent... and polish out easily. I heard bead-blasting basically gives you a new light.

I used a dessert spoon of drain cleaner granules in water (maybe 4-500ml)... the anodizing fell off in about 3-5 min ... any longer and it would have eaten aluminium.

 

[DUQ]

Here's one I did.

Stripped light