Plating/ Anodising a cast aluminium hatch

[abbott013]

I am restoring the deck hatch on my 30 year old yacht, it`s cast aluminium which has been previously anodised. I have spoken to a few company with out much success, they either cant do it or cant guarantee end finish. So I suppose I am on here to find someone who knows a thing or two about anodising/plating for inspiration.
Help very much needed

 

[VicS]

I am restoring the deck hatch on my 30 year old yacht, it`s cast aluminium which has been previously anodised. I have spoken to a few company with out much success, they either cant do it or cant guarantee end finish. So I suppose I am on here to find someone who knows a thing or two about anodising/plating for inspiration.
Help very much needed

I think the trouble is that re-anodising an old and corroded item is never going to produce a satisfactory end result.

Grit blasting with a soft grit to remove all the oxide without damaging the aluminium itself, Etch priming and finally painting with a chlorinated rubber may give the best result that can be expected.

The paint lab where I worked some years ago did a couple of portholes for a friend of mine like that

 

[Tranona]

Shotblasting and powder coating is the way to go. Aluminium is difficult to paint using conventional finishes.

 

[Earendil-uk]

Anodising picks out all the imperfections unless they will polish out.

 

[VicS]

Anodising picks out all the imperfections unless they will polish out.

That'll be the reason the OP cant find anyone willing to do it.

I wonder if a high quality finish like powder coating will do much the same.

 

[lw395]

2 pack paint over epoxy?
Or just keep polishing it....

 

[abbott013]

Hello VicS, nice to hear from you. and many thanks to everyone. I looked into the powder coating and was told by a reputable company that pin holes would form in the paint process. Got back on the phone today and managed to find a company that would hard anodise the hatch.