metal polish
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- balb0a0
D.I.Y. anodizing:
http://www.focuser.com/atm/anodi…
pretty effin' messy if you ask me. i'd send it out somewhere.
also, here's info on anodizing titanium:
but you can't do red or black :(
- mitsu0
wow, what a hassle... i think i'll just leave this $2000 frame just the way it is! :)
thanks for all the input!
- balb0a0
dude, just wrap electrical tape around the whole thing.
that's what the philly kidz do to dull it down...
heh.
:::::)
- mr_pants0
Hey mitsu, maybe I can help.
Depending on the type of metal you can try a couple of different things. If it's a steel frame there are a variety of patinas you can buy off the shelf. They come in a liquid form and can be applied with a small brush. Gun Bluing is a popular choice but there is a really wide selection available that will give you a bunch of different colours. Browns, blue, black and green. Check with a decent art supply shop in your area. You can also check jewellery supply store (the places that supply tools etc to jewellers). Before you slap it all over the frame maybe do a test on the bottom of the bike like the crank or see if you can get a sample piece of similar metal to experiment on.
Regardless of the type of metal the frame needs to be clean and free of any kind of finish (like a clear coat). If there is a finish on the frame you'll have to have it stripped first before anything will affect it.
I don't know if I would anodize an aluminum frame as anodizing is really just a process of dipping in an electrified acid bath and then dying the metal your desired colour. Might weaken the metal and make it brittle.
Powdercoating is a great way to go. It's a bulletproof finsh that needs no maintenance and it comes in an insane amount of different finishes these days. But you may not get the "stained" look.
Heat will also put a patina on metal. Just run a torch around the frame and you'll get an interesting mix of colours. Tricky to do well and difficult to control though.
I'm rambling.... Good luck.
- mitsu0
good info, thanks mr_pants :)