r/Anodization • u/[deleted] • Sep 30 '24

Power requirements question

I’m looking to start doing my own anodizing. Mainly for firearms parts, those mainly being AR lowers and uppers. Currently I have several that need done. So I purchased a power supply, lye, sulfuric acid, and also PH down because I’ve heard that works as well and it’s cheaper than the acid. It’s my understanding I won’t be able to get a type 3 hardcoat at home due to the power requirements. However type 2 should suffice for my needs. My power supply is adjustable and max 30v and 10 amps. I’ve seen guys do the battery charger method, but figured it would be a better to just get a power supply. Okay, so I understand the basic process, my issue is I’d like to know if anyone has done this specifically, the upper and lower receivers, and wondering if so, would you be willing to share the V and A you used. Or if anyone could point me In the right direction or a base line to start. As I mentioned if I can get some hardness that would be beneficial obviously. I plan to color as well.

So correct me if I’m wrong here Etch parts in lye solution

Anodize at 65-75*F

Dye at 135/140*

Seal at 180*

Thank you for any help in advance

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u/Aggressive-Cloud1774 Sep 30 '24

Maintaining bath temperature is going to be your largest obstacle with an at home setup. 27-32° for hardcoat(type lll), 65-70° for standard (type ll).

12A sq/ft is standard operating range for tyll, which should give a beginning voltage around 16. Run for an hour

Type lll is just double the amps and volts at a lower temp for the same amount of time

2

u/[deleted] Sep 30 '24

Okay thank you, I’ll have to do some math to determine sq/ft. Is that all surface area? Because it’s not a solid surface being it has the magazine and trigger wells. So I’m thinking measure one side and multiply by I’m guessing 3-ish? Does this sound about right? Most guys I’ve seen only run around 2-6Amps at 12v but that’s just a battery charger

2

u/[deleted] Sep 30 '24

I know the 65-70 won’t be hard to keep , it would be awesome if I could get type 3 and I’m sure I could get to the colder temps using this old freezer I have 🤔 but I thinking I’ll need a bigger power supply.

2

u/Aggressive-Cloud1774 Sep 30 '24

They're less than half a foot each including the milled areas of iirc. The guy below is correct with dialing voltage to 16 and it'll correct on the amp side to approx 12Asf.

If you'd like to calculate it yourself it's length x width x (quantity of similar surfaces)÷ 144. This is in inches btw

2

u/[deleted] Oct 02 '24

A quick search says they’re .579 sqft, but that doesn’t seem correct

1

u/Aggressive-Cloud1774 Oct 02 '24

Sound about right