I have to modify my anodised metal. What is the procedure?

Strip the anodising first, then do any modifications or remedial work to the aluminium, then re-anodise. Sanding through the anodised layer instead gives an uneven look when re-anodised.

How do I maintain an anodised surface?

Rinsing or mild soap and water usually restores an anodised surface to its original appearance. Never use an abrasive or caustic cleaner.

What is the largest part you can anodise?

The natural matt and AliHaze tank capacity is 6500 x 1300 x 450 mm. Dye colours run in a 3000 x 1200 x 450 mm tank. Bright natural finishes run in a 3000 x 1300 x 450 mm tank.

Family operated · 35 years

Anodising that outlasts the job.

Q: Can my anodised metal be re-anodised?

Yes. The existing anodising can be stripped off and the work re-anodised. Every strip takes off a portion of the aluminium as well, so dimensions will change.

Q: Is there a minimum for electrolytic colours?

Electrolytic colours need a minimum of 20 square metres of metal per load. Smaller jobs are combined with other customers' work to make up a load, which can add a delay.

New Zealand's largest independently owned, family operated anodising specialist. Matt, bright and AliHaze finishes, dye and electrolytic colours, from your one-off piece to 1000s of parts.

Email production Call 09 274 0717

Row of open anodising process tanks under an overhead hoist inside the Alert Anodising plant

The tank line, 59 Crooks Road

6.5 mMatt and AliHaze tank, 6500 x 1300 x 450

12 / 25 µmTypical anodised layer thickness

1st in NZTo offer the AliHaze satin finish

1 to 1000sOne-off parts through production runs

Four ways to finish aluminium.

Tell us the part, the alloy and where it will live. We recommend the finish, then run it through our own tanks in East Tamaki with a hands-on, fast-turnaround approach.

Most common

Matt anodising

Etch and desmut, then anodise. Natural Marine 20 or Heavy Duty Marine 25 with no colouring needed, or add dye and electrolytic colour.

Glossy copper coloured bright anodised aluminium rings

NZ's largest provider

Bright anodising

Bright dipping chemically polishes the metal before anodising for a glossy, reflective finish. Light reflectors, bathroom trims, joinery, motorbike and car parts.

Large aluminium cylinders on jigs beside the anodising tanks

First in New Zealand

AliHaze satin

Acid-etch pre-treatment for a smooth satin finish that blends die lines on extrusions without bead-blasting. Consistent from partitioning and joinery to flashings and louvres.

Anodised aluminium canisters in pink, blue, gold and orange dye colours

Dye + electrolytic

Colour anodising

Dye colours from black to pink and purple, plus electrolytic shades from champagne to black. Sealed into the pores so it will not flake, peel or blister.

Colours and tank sizes.

Sampled from the colour chart on alertanodising.co.nz. Screen colours are a guide only; ask for a physical sample before you commit a run.

Black

Blue

Red

Purple

Pink

Green

Gold

Brass

Champagne

Stone Beige

Honey Bronze

Light Bronze

Medium Bronze

Dark Bronze

Charcoal

Gunmetal

Finish	Tank capacity (mm)
Natural matt and AliHaze	6500 x 1300 x 450
Electrolytic colours, matt	6500 x 1300 x 400
Natural bright and electrolytic bright	3000 x 1300 x 450
Dye colours	3000 x 1200 x 450
Golden orange and purple dye	350 x 350 x 700

Electrolytic colours need at least 20 m² of metal per load. Smaller jobs are combined with other customers' work, which can add a short delay.

Purple bright anodised aluminium part with a glossy finish

How colour gets in

Into the metal, not on top of it.

Anodising grows the natural oxide film on aluminium into a tough lattice of pores. Colour goes into those pores and is sealed in, so there is nothing to peel.

Polish if needed, then etch (matt), acid-etch (AliHaze) or chemically brighten (bright).
Anodise to open the aluminium oxide surface pores, typically to 12 or 25 microns.
Colour in a dye bath, or electrolytically for shades from champagne to black.
Seal to close the pores and lock in the colour.

Work through our tanks.

Photos from the alertanodising.co.nz gallery. Wheels, extrusions, machined parts and one-offs.

Two-tone anodised aluminium wheel with a black centre and polished rim — Wheels and automotive parts

Blue anodised aluminium extrusions racked in the plant — Blue dye on long extrusions

Before and after the tank.

Prep and rework done in-house, so your parts arrive ready and leave right.

Polishing

Polish before brightening for the best possible bright finish.

Linishing & satene

Linishing in 60, 100, 120, 180 and 320 grits. Satene in 80, 120 and 180.

Stripping & planning

Anodise stripping for rework, and project planning from concept stage on alloys and finishes.

Sustainability

A green finish, run responsibly.

Anodising protects aluminium so it does not corrode, and the finish goes into the metal so nothing flakes off into the environment. Customers have gained Environmental Choice NZ certification using our anodising.

Triple bunded plant floor: special concrete, double fibreglass, epoxy
Bunding holds 1080 litres; warehouse floor bunded to exterior
Stock chemicals stored in a bunded area
Trade waste bylaws met with constant computerised monitoring
Tank fumes drawn into a scrubber system
Counter-cycled rinses, insulated tanks and pipes
HSNO compliance
Scrap metal, packaging, paper and cardboard recycled

Questions we get asked

Can you anodise other metals besides aluminium?

No. Anodising is solely a treatment for aluminium.

Can my anodised metal be re-anodised?

Yes. The existing anodising can be stripped and the work re-anodised. Every strip takes off a little aluminium too, so dimensions change.

I need to modify an anodised part. What do I do?

Strip the anodising first, do the modifications or remedial work, then re-anodise. Sanding through the layer instead leaves an uneven look after re-anodising.

How do I look after an anodised surface?

Rinse, or use mild soap and water. Never use an abrasive or caustic cleaner.

What is the biggest part you can take?

Natural matt and AliHaze run in a 6500 x 1300 x 450 mm tank. Dye colours in 3000 x 1200 x 450 mm. Bright natural in 3000 x 1300 x 450 mm.

Is there a minimum for electrolytic colours?

Yes, 20 m² of metal per load. Smaller jobs are combined with other work to make up a load.

Send us the part. We'll tell you the finish.

Email production@alertanodising.co.nz Call 09 274 0717

Plant: 59 Crooks Road, East Tamaki, Auckland
Post: PO Box 58 996, Botany, Auckland 2163
Phone: 09 274 0717 · Fax 09 274 0718
Factory: Mon to Fri, 7.00am to 4.00pm
Office: Mon to Fri, 8.00am to 4.30pm