M17x - Anodizing

Hello again, guys!

I was just wondering - What is the chassis of the M17x made of? (Is it aluminum?).

I just came of an idea - You see, in paintball, coloring an paintball marker would be done by an process that is called anodizing.

Maybe this is something that could be done to color an M17x in the color-way that you would like it? The +'s of this would of course be that the metall changes its color, so that its not an "layer on top" which can be scratched away, etc.

Anyhow, if its of anyone's interest to look into this, here is an link that tells what anodizing is all about!

Personally, i'm not smart enough, so would be cool if someone with more understance for metall-work could look into it.

If the case happens to be that you can anodize the chassis, it would be pretty easy for people to get the job done. for about 100 US dollars, i think..
The only backdraw though, would be the fact that you'd had to dissassemble the whole system into individual parts that would be anodized.

Thoughts?
- Scott.

 

I was just thinking about this on Wed. There is a place around here that I think I could have do it. I just got my extra (Silver M17x) base and lid today. I swapped my system in to the silver base and lid. Took about an hour. I am considering leaving it silver, painting or looking into anodizing. Not sure what I would anodize it though, maybe a blue.

Considering my options. Swapping everything wasn't too bad. It's the prep work on the parts that would take a while.

Here is where I would have it done, if they would be willing to do it. Not sure if they will do a small order or not.

Oh, my system is a whole new level of sexy now that I swapped it into a silver chasis. One reason I'm having a hard time deciding what I ultimately want to do with it.

 

Well, if its aluminium, it's possible..
You could get virtually anything on there. One-way colors, gradient colors, and prints / designs. Also, a cheaper, "easier" method that could be done is laser-engraving, but that is only gray one-toned.

This doesent sound bad at all, i actually might try this.. (When the cash comes to my hand ). Just have to find out, what the heck to put on there.. White with black tribal-pattern could be cool?

- Scott.

 

Yes, the M17x's chassis is Aluminum. I started a project to anodize the frame. It went well, but I bent the base by accident and had to start over (I'll probably start it again beginning of next year).

In order to get it anodized perfectly or near perfect, you have to strip out the original anodized coat. In order to get it prepared, you have to remove everything that is NOT aluminum: plastic, magnesium frame, glue, everything. If not, I'll ruin the finish.

After you get the bare aluminum, you'll have to strip the coating. I initially did this with Drain-O, but there maybe better options since you'll have to follow that up with sanding the pieces after the Drain-O strips the coating. This is probably the most important step because the quality of the surface dictates the outcome of the anodized finish: If there is a scratch on the surface, that same scratch will be visible after it's anodized. Anodizing doesn't hide any imperfections, so make sure the stripped finish is what you are satisfied with.

This is what I mean about the bare aluminum (after it's been stripped of the coating):

ImageShack® - Online Photo and Video Hosting

Since the Drain-O treatment (or anything that eats through anodized coatings) requires a bit of work to get a decent pre-anodized finish, I would probably recommend sandblasting it or sending it off to a company that specializes in metal finishes without anodizing. Sandblasting will probably get you a similar surface/texture as what we have now in the R2.

So, if you want to start this project, make sure that everything is stripped and that the surface is prepared properly, before sending it off to get anodized. You'd want to get the surface to look something like this before anodizing:

http://www.b2b-today.com/userimg/7/77-1/sandblasting-aluminum-floor-edging-1390.jpg

Probably a bit more finer than that, but clean, pure with no residue or deep scratches.

 

Thanks for the information ichime, Rep+ Added!

- Scott.