restore anodized look Aluminum tube

[pescaloco]

Hey there guys

I have an anodized boat tower that has been cut / modified and re-welded in several places and the bright silver anodized finish has been ground away and the repair pieces are raw aluminum. The question is does anyone know of an spray paint type of product that would closely restore the anodized look.
Ofcourse this is just for the astetics not the corrosion protection that an anodized finish offers.

thanks
Mark

[FusionKing]

Hey there guys

I have an anodized boat tower that has been cut / modified and re-welded in several places and the bright silver anodized finish has been ground away and the repair pieces are raw aluminum. The question is does anyone know of an spray paint type of product that would closely restore the anodized look.
Ofcourse this is just for the astetics not the corrosion protection that an anodized finish offers.

thanks
Mark

I know exactly what you are describing but don't know for sure what may work best. Sundown III may have some input on this.
Get some scrap and play with "bumper chrome" maybe??
I know that sometimes they spray the welds with a rustoleum aluminum paint but not sure which one. The main mix is airbrushed I believe tho.
Look thru the archives here and other welding forums (WW?) It has been discussed before under topics like "welding anodized aluminum"

[pescaloco]

Thanks Fusion King will try a search

[SundownIII]

pescaloco,

Short of re-anodizing the material (out of the question here), don't think anything is going to "restore" the appearance.

As FK has mentioned, we normally paint our welds on anodized material (small brush) using aluminum rustoleum.

Rupp (Rupp Outriggers) makes a product which does a good job of protecting their (anodized) outriggers from the ravenges of salt spray. Seems to do a pretty good job of protecting non anodized aluminum as well.

Another option may be to check with Glass Cote located in Ft. Lauderdale. Company is a subsidary of StrataGlass and provides a service which involves preping a previously anodized tower (scotch brite) and then applying their (secret formulation) product to seal the aluminum from the elements.

Unfortunately, I don't know of anything that can cover up shoddy workmanship.

[pescaloco]

SunDown, thanks for the info I appreciate it