Anyone ever use sodium hydroxide to get the finish off their lights?
- Thread starter EsthetiX
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greenLED
Flashaholic
Look no further, the Encyclopedia Britannica of anodizing removal is a click away:
https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/58899
https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/58899
greenLED
Flashaholic
The result is just like any pic of bare aluminum (polished or otherwise).
Grubbster
Enlightened
I use concentrated NaOH to remove anodizing from the reflectors of Gerber infinity lights and it works great. Be very careful though. That stuff can be nasty.
FlashKat
Flashlight Enthusiast
I just use ZEP drain opener from Home Depot to remove the anodizing from my Streamlight and cheaper DX lights. It takes 20 minutes of soaking.
Illum
Flashaholic
where do you find sodium hydroxide?
only place I know is from a chem professor that does annual demonstrations of throwing sodium cakes in a tub of water:green:
only place I know is from a chem professor that does annual demonstrations of throwing sodium cakes in a tub of water:green:
in household cleaning products for drains and stuff
B@rt
Flashaholic
Drano is essentially NaOH, I find it is easier to work with if it is dilluted a bit, it gives you better control over the process.
It does in no way effect the durability of the light, the structure of the Al does not change, the Drano just eats away a tiny layer.
It does in no way effect the durability of the light, the structure of the Al does not change, the Drano just eats away a tiny layer.
we have a couple of past threads with similar topics that should come up with a forum search...
with regards to fenix lights, the aluminum that they use is a bit on the soft-side and removing the ha coating somewhat 'enhances' this 'softness'. it will scratch more easily w/o the coating. on the bright side, they're easy to polish... and re-polish.
with regards to fenix lights, the aluminum that they use is a bit on the soft-side and removing the ha coating somewhat 'enhances' this 'softness'.
it will scratch more easily w/o the coating. on the bright side, they're easy to polish... and re-polish.
Last edited:
If you read through the thread greenLED pointed out, you will find info regarding 'Greased Lightning'.
I've yet to try it myself (am looking forward to procuring a tube or two when visiting the US soon )
but it sounds safe and effective from what Jumpmaster says. See after post #105.
I still strongly recommend wearing gloves and eye protection until you are thoroughly confident
with the whole process.
I've yet to try it myself (am looking forward to procuring a tube or two when visiting the US soon
) but it sounds safe and effective from what Jumpmaster says. See after post #105.
I still strongly recommend wearing gloves and eye protection until you are thoroughly confident
with the whole process.
sflate
Enlightened
I've used 'Greased Lightning' with excellent results. It is very cheap at Walmart. I've never seen it in a tub. I bought it in a spray bottle (about a quart size) and I think they had a 1 Gallon jug too. I believe it's dilluted Sodium Hydroxide. I soaked the light I did for about 5-10 minutes if I remember correctly. It worked much faster than I thought it would.
GarageBoy
Flashlight Enthusiast
Err, how do I neutralize the lye afterwards?
RasmusB
Newly Enlightened
Use gloves, rinse it off with water.
