My Fenix L1D set me back $50, so I had my name engraved on it in case it should be lost or stolen. I thought this was OK, because aluminium doesn't rust (it corrodes, yes, but not as badly as iron or steel), the exposed surface area is so small and I thought the anodization was for decorative purposes mainly. However, I am now worried that I may have made a mistake; that there are consequences I did not know of. If so, how can I fix this? What if I painted over the letters with a fine brush? What sort of paint should I use?
Was engraving my Fenix L1D a good idea?
- Thread starter Kurzon
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carbine15
Flashlight Enthusiast
keep it in the coffin just in case you wake up you can have some light for a long time.
Long John
Flashlight Enthusiast
You can use clear enamel lacquer.
Best regards
_____
Tom
Best regards
_____
Tom
Vickers
Enlightened
I engraved my name on my MiniMag back in 1986, and it is still shiny where I did it. No problems whatsoever.
IsaacHayes
Flashlight Enthusiast
It's not gonna corrode through. Aluminum forms an oxide coating almost instantly and that prevents it from further corrosion. No worries.
Long John
Flashlight Enthusiast
It depends on the circumstances. AL and saltwater or air with much salt (i.e. living nearby an ocean) will corrode without any protection.
I have seen some AL-bodys of Landrover's, AL-parts on sailing-ships with damaged coatings and they corroded complete through.
So to be safe, you can lacquer the part.
Best regards
____
Tom
I have seen some AL-bodys of Landrover's, AL-parts on sailing-ships with damaged coatings and they corroded complete through.
So to be safe, you can lacquer the part.
Best regards
____
Tom
Sub_Umbra
Flashlight Enthusiast
There are various products that would probably work better than paint on small areas. I've used Birchwood Casey's Aluminum Black for touchups. I read a thread about another product that the Military uses on aluminum that cures in the oven but I can't recall the name. Products that react chemically with aluminum will probably work better than paint.
I guess you could also hide the engraving...with more engraving, like they do with tatoos...
I guess you could also hide the engraving...with more engraving, like they do with tatoos...
Illum
Flashaholic
Aluminum actually rusts...but Aluminum oxide on the sureface not only looks just like its Aluminum counterpart, its actually more stable than its base
what Anodizing helps is to reinforce aluminums weakness being malleable and flexible [hence the dents and scratches of lesser, painted aluminum lights] it shouldnt matter as long as the area where you engraved isnt being continuously handled.
and mchlwise is right...you cant sell it unless just by chance the seller has the exact same initials, interests in this light, and have the money
what Anodizing helps is to reinforce aluminums weakness being malleable and flexible [hence the dents and scratches of lesser, painted aluminum lights] it shouldnt matter as long as the area where you engraved isnt being continuously handled.
and mchlwise is right...you cant sell it unless just by chance the seller has the exact same initials, interests in this light, and have the money
IsaacHayes
Flashlight Enthusiast
With normal use you have nothing to worry about. Now if you drop your light in strong alkalines/acids/salts/what have you, then that's another story.
Think about mag-lites. All the logo's on them are laser etched, and you dont see mag bezels "rusted through".
Think about mag-lites. All the logo's on them are laser etched, and you dont see mag bezels "rusted through".
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Toohotruk
Flashlight Enthusiast
Personally, I wouldn't worry about it too much...I have MAGs that I've used and abused for decades, that are beat to death (bare aluminum all over) and have been exposed to lots of moisture and various chemicals and I can't see any signs of corrosion.
Here's one of my "work beaters" with MAGLED upgrade (it actually looks worse in real life...still works great though!):
Like has been said by others, unless you plan to sell it, I doubt there will be any problems.
Besides, you don't want somebody walking off with your nice torch, right?
Here's one of my "work beaters" with MAGLED upgrade (it actually looks worse in real life...still works great though!):
Like has been said by others, unless you plan to sell it, I doubt there will be any problems.
Besides, you don't want somebody walking off with your nice torch, right?
Illum
Flashaholic
Toohotruk said:Personally, I wouldn't worry about it too much...I have MAGs that I've used and abused for decades, that are beat to death (bare aluminum all over) and have been exposed to lots of moisture and various chemicals and I can't see any signs of corrosion.
Here's one of my "work beaters" with MAGLED upgrade (it actually looks worse in real life...still works great though!):
Like has been said by others, unless you plan to sell it, I doubt there will be any problems.
Besides, you don't want somebody walking off with your nice torch, right?
Mags are built to last as a beater light...they LOVE to have the crap beat out of them for no good reason...but I wouldnt want use a P1D as a beater light...they have different purposes
Salt air can turn alluminium to white dust.
We live near the ocean and that happened to some outside screen door handles... dust!
Went to open the door and the handle (which looked ok) just crumbled... the thing was painted so didn't really notice until it was dead.
Then again, that more than likely was a cheap aluminium alloy. Aslong as you look after the light and don't leave salty water sitting on it or give it mercury baths, it'll be fine.
How did the engraving turn out? Look good?
I suppose you had it mechanically engraved and not laser?
We live near the ocean and that happened to some outside screen door handles... dust!
Went to open the door and the handle (which looked ok) just crumbled... the thing was painted so didn't really notice until it was dead.
Then again, that more than likely was a cheap aluminium alloy. Aslong as you look after the light and don't leave salty water sitting on it or give it mercury baths, it'll be fine.
How did the engraving turn out? Look good?
I suppose you had it mechanically engraved and not laser?
Toohotruk
Flashlight Enthusiast
You'll get no argument from me there...I didn't mean to suggest that he use the L1D as a beater.
In fact, if I had just bought one, I would have a hard time convincing myself to put it in my pocket with keys, change, ect. even though that's one way it's likely to get used. Compairing the two lights is like comparing apples and oranges...or like comparing a finely tuned medical instrument to a 2 1/2 lb sledgehammer! :duh2: Not to say that the Fenix isn't tough, actually in some ways it's tougher...HAIII compaired to the HAII anodizing of the MAG for one thing...
All I was trying to say, is that aluminum is pretty forgiving as far as corrosion goes and a few small letters engraved into the side of the L1D is highly unlikely to do it in. :thumbsup:
4sevens
Flashlight Enthusiast
paulr said:
Mid march or sooner
Illum
Flashaholic
Toohotruk said:
Type II?? 0_o
I thought it was paint :hahaha:
eebowler
Flashlight Enthusiast
Kurzon, cover your name with clear nail polish if you're paranoid about corrosion.
GarageBoy
Flashlight Enthusiast
Don't forget the "fenix" logo is done the same way, engraved right through
