Anodizing RZV Frame?

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BigGuy
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Anodizing RZV Frame?

#1 Post by BigGuy » Thu Jul 14, 2016 11:05 pm

Hello all, just this week I took possession of my brand spankin used RZV frame (Thanks again Mike). All in all it's pretty clean but there all the normal nicks and scratches one would expect in a thirty year old frame. I am considering re-anodizing the aluminum frame. I'm just wondering if any of you have had this done or been through this? What was involved? How did it turn out? Cost? I appreciate any information you guys can share on this.

BG
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2smoke
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Re: Anodizing RZV Frame?

#2 Post by 2smoke » Fri Jul 15, 2016 12:29 am

Well 2 problems come to mind. First is that the old finish is really hard to remove. Really hard.
And the other is that the original anodising color is not available and you would have to "try" something else that you might not like in the end.
Some guys paint the aluminum frames instead.
Colin

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Speed Freak
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Re: Anodizing RZV Frame?

#3 Post by Speed Freak » Fri Jul 15, 2016 2:37 am

Already asked for reanodizing the swing arm.
They told me that they will remove the old finish with acid or something and then reanodize it.
But they cant promise that it will be an even silver finish, especially the welds can get darker after this process.

I will try it on one of my 2 swing arms (have to check which one is in worse condition)

Price is depending on surface area - estimated 30€ but they have a minimum price of 64€ per order.
I have to think about what i want to anodize :mrgreen:

By the way, are the footpegs anodized or painted?
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tacky1
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Re: Anodizing RZV Frame?

#4 Post by tacky1 » Fri Jul 15, 2016 3:40 am

I looked into doing this.

I talked to a few anodize company's,
Basically they all told me the same thing.
First, all steel has to be removed, steel riv-nuts, brackets, rivets etc.
The original anodize is really tough and really hard to remove,
They dont have a finish like that, The finish they had would look similar for a while, welds will be a little darker, but the overall finish will fade over time,

Biggest problem, Rot..... 3 of the company's I talked to would not take it on, They did look at the frame though.
Rot happens when the acid or solution gets in the frame through a small pinhole or even in an opening from the removed riv-nuts etc and either gets trapped or is not washed out, The acid or solution to clean or anodize, I cant remember, If it sits at the bottom of a frame tube for example, it will eat the frame and rot out through.
That is why 3 of the 4 company's would not touch the frame, Liability...
The 4th guy was very doubtful, He said he would "try" and get it done, But I had to sign a release.

So I said fuck it, Not worth it, I cleaned mine up with 0000 wire wool and acetone, I went very light with it, super light as not to scratch the top surface, Frame came out good, 100% better than it was before, Not perfect either, but I'm very happy with it.
I hope this of some use to you..
1985 RZv500
1984 RZ500 Hybrid
1986 RG500 Walter Wolf
1986 RG500 Skoal Bandit
1984 RZ350
1984 RZ350 Hybrid
1981 RD350LC
1981 RD350LC Hybrid
2009 CR500AF Supermoto 250X
2007 CR500AF 250X
1988 YSR50 (2)
1989 VFR750R RC30
1984 GPZ750 Turbo

BigGuy
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Re: Anodizing RZV Frame?

#5 Post by BigGuy » Fri Jul 15, 2016 9:54 pm

tacky1 wrote:I looked into doing this.


"Biggest problem, Rot..... 3 of the company's I talked to would not take it on, They did look at the frame though.
Rot happens when the acid or solution gets in the frame through a small pinhole or even in an opening from the removed riv-nuts etc and either gets trapped or is not washed out, The acid or solution to clean or anodize, I cant remember, If it sits at the bottom of a frame tube for example, it will eat the frame and rot out through.
That is why 3 of the 4 company's would not touch the frame, Liability...
The 4th guy was very doubtful, He said he would "try" and get it done, But I had to sign a release."
THIS is all news to me, thanks for the heads up on the acid issue. I'm going to try to just clean clean it up a bit by hand.

Thanks
BG
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s4oz
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Re: Anodizing RZV Frame?

#6 Post by s4oz » Sun Mar 12, 2017 10:25 am

oops, just noticed how old the thread is... oh well, this is my 2 c anyway.

How long would this rot issue take to create critical damage?

I had my RZV frame dipped and re-anodised two years ago (maybe longer, actually) and haven't had it implode thus far, albeit having traveled only about 1500Km with it.

Also, the welds aren't any darker than the surface. I had mine done because of some pitting, the workshop that re-anodized said they didn't think that would go away and they were right.

Oh, final preparation included a great deal of time carefully rubbing the frame tubes with a couple of different grades of Scotch Brite pads, I had green, gray and maroon ones, but ca't recall anymore which I used. This was to imitate the original finish. The overall result may not be a 100% original colour tone, but it's pretty dam good looking, if you ask me...

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Re: Anodizing RZV Frame?

#7 Post by BigGuy » Fri Mar 17, 2017 8:46 am

s4oz wrote:oops, just noticed how old the thread is... oh well, this is my 2 c anyway.

How long would this rot issue take to create critical damage?

I had my RZV frame dipped and re-anodised two years ago (maybe longer, actually) and haven't had it implode thus far, albeit having traveled only about 1500Km with it.

Also, the welds aren't any darker than the surface. I had mine done because of some pitting, the workshop that re-anodized said they didn't think that would go away and they were right.

Oh, final preparation included a great deal of time carefully rubbing the frame tubes with a couple of different grades of Scotch Brite pads, I had green, gray and maroon ones, but ca't recall anymore which I used. This was to imitate the original finish. The overall result may not be a 100% original colour tone, but it's pretty dam good looking, if you ask me...
I ended up just cleaning up the frame by hand as best I could. There are areas where the anodizing has been worn through that are still kinda bothering me. Considering it's age it's in very good condition but I would prefer to not have those blemishes obviously. Wish there was a solution??
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kpke
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Re: Anodizing RZV Frame?

#8 Post by kpke » Fri Mar 17, 2017 11:26 am

I checked into reanodizing as others have done. I was never really comfortable with the process and concerned about discoloration, removing and reinstalling nutserts, etc.

Then I found the perfect solution.

After spending about two days sanding out little pits and cleaning up flashing, it ended up looking like this.

A little discolored maybe. :smt009

I hope yours ends up to your liking. :smt002

Image
Ken's Garage YouTube Channel :smt023
https://www.youtube.com/c/KensGarage1

1985 RZ500 (R6 suspension & body work)

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tacky1
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Re: Anodizing RZV Frame?

#9 Post by tacky1 » Fri Mar 17, 2017 6:57 pm

Ha, I was right, Look at kens frame, The welds discolored with the anodizing process.... :smt003 :smt003 :smt004
1985 RZv500
1984 RZ500 Hybrid
1986 RG500 Walter Wolf
1986 RG500 Skoal Bandit
1984 RZ350
1984 RZ350 Hybrid
1981 RD350LC
1981 RD350LC Hybrid
2009 CR500AF Supermoto 250X
2007 CR500AF 250X
1988 YSR50 (2)
1989 VFR750R RC30
1984 GPZ750 Turbo

BigGuy
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Re: Anodizing RZV Frame?

#10 Post by BigGuy » Sat Mar 18, 2017 1:00 am

Kpke, that frame looks f#*^ing great! It's really what I want mine to look like. This is going sound a little messed up but I kinda feel guilty about maybe painting mine? I almost wish it was in worse condition so painting it would be the only clear option. LOL. Isn't it kinda sacrilege to blast and paint a clean RZV frame? Aren't these things kinda rare? I'll try to post some pics of it this weekend to see what you guys think?
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silverstrom
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Re: Anodizing RZV Frame?

#11 Post by silverstrom » Sat Mar 18, 2017 1:58 am

It depends on how you define rare Shawn. They made 3700.

BigGuy
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Re: Anodizing RZV Frame?

#12 Post by BigGuy » Mon Mar 20, 2017 1:15 am

What do you guys think? I'm not sure if the pics show the areas that I'm concerned with but basically everywhere the anodizing has been compromised the underlying aluminum has oxidized leaving the effect of dirty blotches. I know none of this really maters for the functionality of the frame, just me being picky. I've seen pics of other guys builds that have painted their RZV frames satin black and I think it looks really sharp. I like the option of getting my RZV frame and R6 swingarm to be the same color, kinda makes two very different looking things appear a little more at home together? Apart from all this I wonder if just painting the frame will give me a finish prone to scratches and chipping later on? Would a painted finish be at least as durable as the anodized finish?
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Re: Anodizing RZV Frame?

#13 Post by BigGuy » Mon Mar 20, 2017 1:19 am

More Pics.
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Re: Anodizing RZV Frame?

#14 Post by BigGuy » Mon Mar 20, 2017 1:27 am

More pics.
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Re: Anodizing RZV Frame?

#15 Post by BigGuy » Mon Mar 20, 2017 1:33 am

And more pics...
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