I'm doing some preliminary experiments to see if I can anodize a titanium compton bridge to give it a more golden hue.

My first experiment reproduces the setup in this link (http://www.wikihow.com/Color-Titanium).
I got some titanium scrap to try it on first. Even though I did get some results, I'm not impressed yet.

Next steps: stronger acid bath, 80V power supply.

Here's some pictures for your entertainment.
Pic 1 is the setup.
Pic 2 is the first attempt at 20 volts; this gives a blueish coat.
Pic 3 is done at 15 volts; this gives a dark golden hue to the metal.

Michiel I like your thinking as I am sure many would love the titanium compton but in a color to match their guitar. Just don't burn yourself with the acid.

Going by the can, he's using Acid Light. :)

Hehe, yes I was. That's what the link suggested.

Next I'm going to try cleaning-grade vinegar.
That's purer and a little stronger, without the danger of acid-burn.
I'm more concerned about the 80V actually.

This is like the Jewelery classes that were offered in high school.

Something I just discoverd by accident on aluminum. I was measuring out some Lemon Yellow concentrated liquid stain from Stew-Mac to come up with a color for my amp cab project. After the stain was in the aluminum measuring spoon, it turned a nice golden tint. It did not survive the dishwasher however so I don't think it would be durable.
Pop's

Michiel, I just had word from my contact. Apparently they stopped using anodized stuff for their products since it rubs off a bit too easily. Even more than cheap goldplating!
Still, interesting exercise.

Something I just discoverd by accident on aluminum. I was measuring out some Lemon Yellow concentrated liquid stain from Stew-Mac to come up with a color for my amp cab project. After the stain was in the aluminum measuring spoon, it turned a nice golden tint. It did not survive the dishwasher however so I don't think it would be durable.
Pop's

I won't be putting the bridge in the dishwasher, so this might be an option. :D

Michiel, I just had word from my contact. Apparently they stopped using anodized stuff for their products since it rubs off a bit too easily. Even more than cheap goldplating!
Still, interesting exercise.

I noticed that too; it chips off pretty easy with a screwdriver.
And it has a matte finish; I wonder if it shines up if I rub with a little WD40 (or some other oily polish).

Hi Michiel, my uncle is gold smith and uses titanium a lot.

I can ask him for a proper DIY setting, and otherwise I could have him anodize your bridge.
We still haven't met in Bocholt yet, be sure to contact me when you are around the next time.

Hey Pops, when will the solid 18kt gold bridge be out?
I definitely need something to excel the coolness factor of Michiels anodized titanium bridge...

In a german knife-makers-forum I just read one guy had good results using 9-12V/1,5A and 24V/1A.
Instead of acid he used some cheap general-purpose cleaner bought at ALDI.
According to him, the colours are stronger compared to those when using cola.

Hey Lars! Nice to hear from you again!

Thanks for the suggestions.
I'm going to try with cleaning-grade vinegar later this week. I guess that's what your contact was using too?

I also think I need to clean the residual oxides off before I start trying again; that should give a more even coating.
How did your contact make that blade shiny after anodizing? What did he use for that?

About your other suggestion: an 18kt bridge?! I bet that would look awesome and sound terrible :).

It would be the right thing for playing golden oldies.

Hey Lars! Nice to hear from you again!

Thanks for the suggestions.
I'm going to try with cleaning-grade vinegar later this week. I guess that's what your contact was using too?

I also think I need to clean the residual oxides off before I start trying again; that should give a more even coating.
How did your contact make that blade shiny after anodizing? What did he use for that?

About your other suggestion: an 18kt bridge?! I bet that would look awesome and sound terrible :).

No, from what I've read he had used some lemon-fresh floor cleaner concentrate ;)

But I guess vinegar essence should do it.

No, from what I've read he had used some lemon-fresh floor cleaner concentrate ;)



Can you ask which brand? We have the ALDI here as well.

:)
http://www.supermarktcheck.de/product/28498-bims-allesreiniger-konzentrat

Wow, that stuff looks like it could take the coating right off again! :D
Interesting; I'll keep that in mind and see if Aldi sells that stuff here as well.

Thanks for the tip.

Yes, but then you bridge is lemon-fresh and free of 99,8% of all bacteria.

lol :D

Soooo, next experiment: vinegar and 80V supply voltage to get a light yellow coat.

Vinegar is NOT the way to go; the result is a white deposit on the titanium that causes pits in the color coating; see pic. The result is nasty.

BTW, reversing the leads just causes a lot of carbon (black) deposit on the titanium that gets locked in the color coat later on. The result is a brownish coat; see right most object. Not what I was looking for!

With 80V my setup draws 1.25amps... that's 100W power through a cup of acid?!?!? :eek:
I'm getting scared here. I'll need to take more precautions; I already got zapped lightly when I touched both leads with a bit of vinegar on my hands.

You can try this: http://www.mrtitanium.com/anodizing.html
But as i understand plating and anodizing titanium is pretty hard.

Thanks for the link PMK. There's a goldmine of info there! :)