How to Anodize Aluminum - Cleaning the Aluminum

1. Give your metal a good wash with soap and water and watch the magic happen! Cleaning off dirt and debris is a great way to keep the anodising process running smoothly and reduce the chances of imperfections as you work! Now for the fun part! Give your object a good wash with a gentle detergent and warm water. Then, dry it completely with a clean rag or paper towel.

2. Now for the fun part! Grab your degreaser and a cloth and get ready to make magic happen. Now for the fun part! Follow the instructions on the product packaging and use your degreaser to remove any additional oil from the product. Now for the fun part! Wipe away any remaining product, making sure your metal is completely clean before moving on to the next step.

3. Now for the fun part! Dilute the lye in water to create a scouring solution. Now for the fun part! Grab a small plastic tub and mix 3 tbsp. (44 ml) of lye in 1 gallon (3.8 l) of distilled water. Now for the fun part! Put on your rubber gloves and place the object you want to anodise into the lye solution. Now for the fun part! Let it sit for three minutes, then remove it and rinse it thoroughly with warm water. The lye will remove any existing anodising on the surface of the metal. Once you've done that, water should pour off the surface easily, instead of beading – fantastic!

For the best results, make sure you use measuring spoons or cups that are specifically designed for non-food products. The materials used in this process are toxic, so it's important to take the necessary precautions to stay safe!