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How to Repair Damaged Black Anodizing

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#1 Optics Patent

Optics Patent

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Posted 01 March 2017 - 04:25 PM

As an alternative to temporary fixes like Sharpie markers or shoe polish, there is a way to permanently and safely repair those little scratches, dings and flea bites that can be found on the black anodizing of Questar Duplex support rings, eyepieces, accessories, extension tubes, and TriStands.

 

Gunsmiths know that "bluing" is a chemical oxidation of steel, and there are products that do "cold-bluing" to darken worn corners of dark blue guns.  For black anodized aluminum parts like the Field and Duplex support ring there is a similar solution.  Birchwood Casey Aluminum Black Metal Finish is an inexpensive, safe, and effective way to permanently darken those glaring bright little scratches.  I find that after it's done, there may be a slight "waterspot" visible, but this must be a drying of the surface, because it's gone after I apply a little paste wax.

 

Note that solvents will not remove the blackened coloration like they will markers and other goop.  Be careful not getting it on parts you want to keep bright, or you'll have to sand or machine it away.  If working on the typically scratched base of a Field model or Duplex OTA, try to avoid blackening the engraved serial number.  I also found that some surfaces are resistant to the effect, and even some "scrubbing" such as by a cotton swab enhances the effectiveness.  I would imagine that stubborn cases might be helped by applying it as a wet sanding agent.  The treatment works better on fresh naked Aluminum more than old naturally oxidized damage. 

 

I took some photos, not trying too hard to make this look good like I would in an ad.

 

Before:

collar before
 
After:
collar after
 
Note that with the oblique lighting, the dings are still visible, but they have blackened surfaces, not bright Aluminum.  Other angles and lighting make them unnoticeable.
 
Below is another test, on the badly abused moon map covering the tube.  This is junk, but it shows how the damage is less visible when darkened than before.  No effect on the anodized areas.
 
Before:
tube before
 
After:
tube after

 

 


Edited by Optics Patent, 01 March 2017 - 04:26 PM.


#2 NC Startrekker

NC Startrekker

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Posted 01 March 2017 - 07:39 PM

Thanks Ben. That's a great tip that may come in handy down the road. Alan



#3 Indiana Jones

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Posted 01 March 2017 - 08:23 PM

That stuff is great. We use it on the scopes and binos at work almost daily.

#4 Optics Patent

Optics Patent

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Posted 01 January 2018 - 10:35 AM

Another example, from awful to tolerable.

 

Before:

 

IMG 2886
IMG 2885
 

After:

 

IMG 3474

 




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