2008Arms forum
Restoring worn black anodizing on equipment arms
18 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
What the thread found
- Using a marker like a Sharpie is not an effective solution for touching up worn anodizing
- Restoring anodized finishes requires professional stripping and re-anodizing rather than surface-level repairs
- Before sending parts for re-anodizing, all non-aluminum components must be removed to prevent bath contamination, and all precision features like bearings, treads, bores, and helicoils must be masked for protection
- Professional re-anodizing typically involves separate companies for stripping and anodizing, costs significantly more than simple touch-ups, and requires equipment to be out of service for several weeks
- Many users find the worn appearance of equipment acceptable and prefer it to the effort and expense of professional restoration
Depends on
- The advice about professional re-anodizing comes from general knowledge rather than documented procedure details
- No specific pricing or typical timeframes are provided for the re-anodizing process
- The discussion includes personal preferences about aesthetics rather than technical necessity