[MC]

Originally Posted by Gooserider

Depends on who you talk to - I recollect a thread here not that long ago where the annodized top on a swifty block failed in less than 6 mo. BillA attributed the failure to galvanic corrosion due to use of distilled water w/o an anti-corrosive.

Impossible. By definition, Anodization is a uniform layer of aluminum oxide. Aluminum oxide does NOT conduct electricity thereby removing all posibilities of galvanic reaction. On top of the fact that the test model in question also used distilled water, also a non-conductor of electricity. There had to be something left out of the scenerio for that to happen. I have never owned any swifttech products, but I would venture to guess that the failed block was either annodized in someones garage or was actually powder coated. For a uniform dye of hard-coat type II anodization the layer NEEDS to be uniform to produce a uniform color. Any irregularities of the dye-job would instantly point out any flaws in the annodized layer.

Originally Posted by Gooserider

I don't particularly CARE about scratches on the outside, that doesn't touch the coolant and the dry bits aren't going to corrode anyway.

who mentioned the outside, water-blocks can have inner-beuaty.

Originally Posted by Gooserider

Contact with tools damages it quite readily.

How did you scratch the inside with a tool and why do you need tools on the inside of a block/tube etc? You lost me on that point.

Originally Posted by Gooserider

According to every article I've read on the subject of how to do anodizing. According to them, there is a problem with getting uniform electrical conductivity on the insides of hollow objects (like tubes) as the current tends to prefer the shortest paths to the electrodes. Since the depth of the anodizing is a function of current flow, if the current is irregular so is the anodized layer. This also matches my observations of annodized parts that I've examined over the years. (Note that it is also difficult to do QA on the inside of a small bore tube)

First off you need to understand something about current flow. Electrons actually flow on the surface area. The tube has surface area on the inside as well as the outside. I wouldn't consider i.d. of 3/8 or 1/2" tubing to be small bore. If the tubing were 1/8" or smaller there could be problems with to high current flow actually burning/pitting the surface ares. With 3/8" or 1/2" its not hard at all...constant current, the acid bath needs to be agitated, anodization is complete when the part no longer registers current flow through the rectifier. Electricity is similar to water, it takes the easiest path. Anodization(Aluminum oxide)=no path, therfore if the surface area was calculated correctly the part would conduct untill there was no more exposed aluminum...done. Agitation can easilly be accomplished with a simple airstone like aquarium shops sell. I use a fume hood so there is no problem of the off-gassing of hydrogen from the air agitation method.

Originally Posted by Gooserider

See my comment above - experience varies. Speaking of boats, I also have a fair bit of marine experience, and have observed that anodizing does NOT do all that well at extending the life of aluminum near salt water, I would say 10% max, less if the object gets much wear and tear, more if it's cleaned, polished and waxed regularly.

I've never tried to annodize a boat and I have never water-cooled with salt-water.
my boat reference was to the movie "Jaws"..."I think were gonna need a bigger boat."

Originally Posted by Gooserider

Perhaps, but then so does polished copper. IMHO alot of anodizing looks kind of cheezy to me, like excess make up on an woman trying to look younger than she really is.... But then I've never been big on cosmetics.
Again, mixed bag...

See above comments about cosmetics. I'm a biker, and I run a total rat bike (A Moto Guzzi) with over 100K miles on it, I always tell the Harley folks that "Soap & Chrome won't get you home, but it's nice to look pretty while waiting for a tow...."

Polishing usually shows pride in ones possessions...so considering its a rat-bike I am reminded of a quote I once heard..."Its hard to polish a turd"

Its getting warm enough here in the northeast, should be 80F tomorow, I can fire up my annodization tanks without spending a fortune heating the place up for just a few parts...I'll snap off some pics for posting.