geekhack

geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: BlackInk on Tue, 02 May 2017, 15:29:27

Title: Keyboard case re anodize
Post by: BlackInk on Tue, 02 May 2017, 15:29:27

Hi guys

I'm new to the forum. I have a keyboard case that need to re anodize but i've never done it before
Does anyone knows which shop that i can bring it to? How much does it cost to re anodize a 60% keyboard case?
I live in Washington, US (city Kent, Renton or nearby)

Thanks alot

Title: Re: Keyboard case re anodize
Post by: Joey Quinn on Tue, 02 May 2017, 16:02:21

The exact price will change depending on the shop and what you ask for but I was quoted 150-200 to refinish and reanodize my Lightsaver V1 (back when I still had it). As far as choosing a shop goes I'd recommend going to a few places and seeing samples of what they can do.

Title: Re: Keyboard case re anodize
Post by: Puddsy on Wed, 03 May 2017, 00:27:49

Do a little googling and see if you can find a machine shop or the like nearby.

Title: Re: Keyboard case re anodize
Post by: tp4tissue on Wed, 03 May 2017, 01:05:23

see if they do brush aluminum finish..

Title: Re: Keyboard case re anodize
Post by: BlackInk on Wed, 03 May 2017, 02:20:36

Thanks all

I've found some shops nearby. Im gonna go check it out all of them then compare the sample and price when i have time.

Hope its not super expensive

Title: Re: Keyboard case re anodize
Post by: tp4tissue on Wed, 03 May 2017, 04:24:33

Quote from: BlackInk on Wed, 03 May 2017, 02:20:36

Thanks all

I've found some shops nearby. Im gonna go check it out all of them then compare the sample and price when i have time.

Hope its not super expensive

it's expensive for a one off,   buhhhh.... it's not like mercedes expensive. hahahaha

Title: Re: Keyboard case re anodize
Post by: nugglets on Wed, 03 May 2017, 05:18:19

Quote from: tp4tissue on Wed, 03 May 2017, 04:24:33

Quote from: BlackInk on Wed, 03 May 2017, 02:20:36

Thanks all

I've found some shops nearby. Im gonna go check it out all of them then compare the sample and price when i have time.

Hope its not super expensive

it's expensive for a one off,   buhhhh.... it's not like mercedes expensive. hahahaha

Eh, that depends. If you do it in a common color and don't care about getting it done right away, it should be pretty cheap to have them throw it in a bath when they're doing a run of other parts. I've done this with various car parts for years, sometimes just getting whatever color they're running that day because I don't care what it looks like and just need it to have the protection of an anodized finish.

That said, it's the stripping of the original finish that can be tricky. The way which is the least likely to damage the underlying metal is also the most dangerous: sodium hydroxide bath. Oven cleaner and other chemicals can also do the trick, but they can also pit and cause other blemishes that may still be visible after anodizing.