Blackening aluminum?

DBotkin · January 26, 2009, 12:26 AM

Is there a quick & easy way to turn aluminum black? I'm not talking about a whole piece, just a little nick or scratch. Other than a Magic Marker, what will give a nice flat black finish? I know I've seen something that will blacken aluminum, darned if I can remember what it was though.

noyes · January 26, 2009, 12:50 AM

Birchwood Casey Aluma Black Touch Up

hogdogs · January 26, 2009, 01:29 AM

I use crayon and/or sharpie marker

But I am but a dumb redneck...
Brent

Keltyke · January 26, 2009, 07:28 AM

Quote:

It can get away from you and ruin a part real quick.

How?

DBotkin · January 26, 2009, 09:43 AM

See, I though cold blue would do it, but it didn't touch this piece. Maybe it's not aluminum, but I sure thought it was. It's a cap for a scope knob.

Casimer · January 26, 2009, 10:36 AM

Quote:

It just keeps eating and then this funky crust forms.

which ruins the finish of the anodized part. And the touch-up can be wiped away nonetheless.

Try an industrial sharpie marker first.

Scorch · January 26, 2009, 01:35 PM

Try black GunKote.

DBotkin · January 26, 2009, 05:14 PM

Problem solved. I used a dab of Testors flat black enamel. Sharpie wasn't black enough; it was a little blue-ish and came off pretty easily.

I suspect this sucker is powder coated stainless. It "tings" like metal, but it's way too stiff to be aluminum.

Thanks for the suggestions!

January 26, 2009, 12:26 AM	#1
DBotkin Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2006 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 302	Blackening aluminum? Is there a quick & easy way to turn aluminum black? I'm not talking about a whole piece, just a little nick or scratch. Other than a Magic Marker, what will give a nice flat black finish? I know I've seen something that will blacken aluminum, darned if I can remember what it was though.

January 26, 2009, 01:35 PM	#7
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Try black GunKote. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

January 26, 2009, 12:50 AM	#2
noyes Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2008 Posts: 1,032	Birchwood Casey Aluma Black Touch Up

January 26, 2009, 01:29 AM	#3
hogdogs Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 31, 2007 Location: Western Florida panhandle Posts: 11,069	I use crayon and/or sharpie marker But I am but a dumb redneck... Brent

January 26, 2009, 09:43 AM	#5
DBotkin Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2006 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 302	See, I though cold blue would do it, but it didn't touch this piece. Maybe it's not aluminum, but I sure thought it was. It's a cap for a scope knob.

January 26, 2009, 05:14 PM	#8
DBotkin Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2006 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 302	Problem solved. I used a dab of Testors flat black enamel. Sharpie wasn't black enough; it was a little blue-ish and came off pretty easily. I suspect this sucker is powder coated stainless. It "tings" like metal, but it's way too stiff to be aluminum. Thanks for the suggestions!