Can you annodize aluminum cans?

[Ironmag]

I want to learn how to annodize aluminum and was wondering if you can annodize aluminum soft drink cans so that it looks good. I want to learn but not at the expense of the expensive bodies of paintball markers. What are other good things to practice annodizing on. I get really bored alot and want something to do. Any help is welcome.

[Creative Mayhem]

I'm not a metalurgist, but from what I understand, aluminum may be too thin to anno. If I'm wrong so be it. Whay not go to your local scrap yard and look for pieces of aluminum then you can anno 'til you heart' content. Have fun!

C Mayhem
AKA Purple Wang

[The Frymarker]

actually aluminum cans are anodized that is how they get the logos on there such as pepsi and coke

As for reanodizing them, they may not make it because the metal is so thin, but it can't hurt to try.

I used to practice on old stock barrels

[dansim]

but in order to anno teh cans youll have to strip the old stuff off right? sounds kinda thin to me

[Seabaas]

Why not just cut them open and try anodizing the underside? , if that even works. I'm curious if it works as well. Let us know if you try it and it does or not.

- Seabaas

[luke]

Try your local hardware store. They sell 4'' lengths of Aluminum rod of various sizes and usually it's pretty cheap. If you live in a big city there may be a metal distributor that you can by from. You can buy full length sticks (usually 21') for about the same price that your local hardware store sells 4'ers for. Keep in mind if you don't buy full length peace's from the large outfits, you pay WAY more for the product.

Here is a good read about the different types of aluminum. I apologize if it's information you already know.

Also, here is a place on-line you can buy short peace's of aluminum from.

http://www.mcmaster.com/

[Kevmaster]

alum rods at the hardware store

alum blocks at a junkyard

barrels and other small parts

go to home depot, they have big blocks of alum

you can practce on just about anything aluminum !!

also, www.smallparts.com sells most things you might need

[The Frymarker]

Oh yeah I forgot.

When I would need racks to hang the aluminum, you can also use this to practice on and it is very cheap, buy a bunch of heavy cable

Inside the cable you will at least 10-20 aluminum rods in side, just strip off the outer rubber and your good to go.

There are a lot of places to find scrap aluminum.

With the cans you will have to strip them first the etch them.

[Ironmag]

Wow! Thanks ppl for the quick response to my question. I'll check out my options and see if I can find aluminum rods and such and work on that.

[HoppysMag]

buy a huffy! comon what else are they good for? lol get and old bike or something

[magman007]

Well, i didnt read that long arsed post, because i would have lost my train of thought, the can is do able, you just have to strip it on dramo first.

The aluminum bar stock is best, or some of those rods. Im sorta ao's Anno Test monkey, so if you have any questions once you get started, fel free to messange me at [email protected]

If something is previously annoed, you have to strip it before you do it again, or the electricity will not conduct

[Marek]

Guys, try not to give Ironmag too many ideas. He might get bored one day, and try to anno my SFL. Better hide it...

[Ironmag]

yup, gonna anno it a pink to purple fade, your favorite colors.

btw, thanks all for the advice

[magman007]

MAREK, Of topic, but please i want to see that sfl!

[Dern]

What about aluminum foil (too thin?) or just the pop can tabs that u use to open the can. Also, try using aluminum screws, or the parts from the Erector Set toys ( or are those steel?). Paper Clips? Staples? lol....