Any ways to accelerate the fade process of anodized aluminum?

[Tony]

I have a red CK headset that has faded to a light red. Looking to find a seatpost collar to match, difficult. This seat collar isn't bad but still redder than I want.
https://fairwheelbikes.com/carbon-ti...atpost-collar/

It there a procedure I can do to cause the anodizing to fade some without leaving it in the sun for a couple years?

[donevwil]

Heavy dosage of UV light, same thing that faded your headset. Fluorescent lights do the trick, but this will take some time. Do you have access to a UV curing station?

[Tony]

Originally Posted by donevwil

Heavy dosage of UV light, same thing that faded your headset. Fluorescent lights do the trick, but this will take some time. Do you have access to a UV curing station?

Do not have a UV station. Any chemicals that may work?

[zmudshark]

Originally Posted by Tony

Do not have a UV station. Any chemicals that may work?

I know ammonia vapors (industrial strength) will darken wood, Maybe worth a try? Don't soak in ammonia, just the gas...household ammonia is useless as an experiment. Ace sells 10%, a farmer might have stronger. Be careful.

[unterhausen]

propane torch

eta: I don't really know how to control the fade. But the iso to post mount adapter that I use to braze ISO disc mounts on with is a really cool golden brown color now, started out black

[wallymann]

i use greased lightning degreaser to remove anodization. it works very slowly and requires vigorous brushing to work effectively to *remove* anodization, maybe careful/gentle use will allow you to achieve the faded look you want w/o total removal.

[unterhausen]

I have two UV lamps, maybe I should offer this service

[avalonracing]

I was going to say just ride in the sun a lot but I see you already live in SAC. Here in Maryland, it seems like we'll never see the sun again.

[Jaybee]

Originally Posted by zmudshark

I know ammonia vapors (industrial strength) will darken wood, Maybe worth a try? Don't soak in ammonia, just the gas...household ammonia is useless as an experiment. Ace sells 10%, a farmer might have stronger. Be careful.

Please do not try this. Most people can process excess ammonia into urea, those with less than optimal liver function do not. In any event, ammonia gas in real concentrations is extremely irritating to the eyes, nose, throat and lungs.

Not worth the risk for perfectly matching bike parts, IMO, even if it works.

[Tony]

Originally Posted by avalonracing

I was going to say just ride in the sun a lot but I see you already live in SAC. Here in Maryland, it seems like we'll never see the sun again.

Yes, the sun here did a job on the red CK headset. In time the seat collar will fade, just don't want to wait that long. Wondering if the headset will continue to fade and the seat collar never catches up, or is there a point where the sun can do only so much before it stops fading?

[spacemen3]

Fading colors is frustrating. I've returned many of my 1990's anodized CNC parts to silver using Eastwood's de-anodizer spray. The trade-off is that you will have to keep the parts polished afterwards or treat them with Sharkhide metal protectant.

[ultraman6970]

[woolly]

I would just get a new headset and enjoy the new-and-more-vibrant colors. Sell the current one - even a color-faded King headset holds it's value pretty well these days.

[Tony]

Originally Posted by woolly

I would just get a new headset and enjoy the new-and-more-vibrant colors. Sell the current one - even a color-faded King headset holds it's value pretty well these days.

I like the older graphics on the headset, and the faded red is really pretty, much nicer than the brilliant red currently available.