Hi all - I had a question in regards to customizing a pair of Juliets I have. I would like to take the 'custom'-look a level higher. I don't know if anyone has a 100% answer, or if it has been done, but would it be possible to get Juliets custom anodized?

It might seem like a stupid idea to even consider something like this, but who knows...might turn out pretty nice depending what color combo you will use.

Thanks in advance for your time.

Cheers, Ollie

I would suppose its possible, along has no metal/chemical reaction? You would really need to ask a metallurgist I suppose, or a chemist.

What exactly is anodizing?

Thanks guys.

Anodizing is a process which prepares the surface of aluminum/titanium to achieve either a shiny or matte finish. This surface can than be dyed a custom color which seals the metal and therefore resist scratches and scuffs. So in other words, you refinish the surface of the metal. Is is manily used on Bikes and Car parts...

Here is an example of paintball gun anodizing:
http://gruntbullanodizing.com/images/i06/i6010_3.JPG

This ano is called clear (white) and copper. You can pretty much custom mix any color.

Ollie


EDIT: I guess this should have gone into the project forum. Sorry about that. First day in the forums. :/

it can be done with RIT Clothing/Fabric Dye and an electrolysis process (I think I spelled it correct)...I read online about how to do it, do a google on it and you can figure it from there..It basically is like electroplating a dye on the surface of the metal...

I used to work for a fly reel company that had it's reels (t-6 aircraft aluminum, and titanium) annodized. Basically it's possible but it's going to cost you are $300, they do it in batches, so essentially it would cost the same for one pair as it would for 200 pair! Also, they cannot guarantee color matching in different batches, so all parts would have to be done together! I agree it would look very sweet, but would cost quite a pretty penny, I would not even think of trying it yourself, almost undo-able!

Thanks guys. Awesome info.

I will most likely go thru a paintball ano company I have dealt with in the past. 14 piece gun cost shy of 150usd. So I do not think it will cost more then that..probably less. I will do some more research on it and give the guy a call this weekend. Already got some nice combos lined up and we will see if it will happen.

Ollie :D

try this info too

http://www.aacoa.com/anodizing/process.htm


kits available

http://www.caswellplating.com/kits/aluminum.htm

Thanks Josh! This might be an option....but I think if I tackle a Juliet/Romeo frame I might just shell out the cash and get it done professionally. I send out several emails inquiring. I will keep this thread posted, in case someone cares. If this works, I'm one happy German!! Woot!

for sure...It also answers a lot of questions about powdercoating too! the second link has everything for polishing, painting, plating, coating, and anodizing at reasonable costs, plus there is a forum to discuss and learn by. I was there for a while last night...

As of right now I'm deciding between the following combos:

StormTropper Juliet - Dust Clear(White) Frame Ano/Black Irid/Black rubber

RubyTropper Juliet - Dust Clear(White) Frame Ano/RubyRed(might custom cut)/Red rubbers (This might look extremely wild!)

Penny Juliet - Polished Copper Ano Frame/Ti Iridium/Black rubber

Olive Juliet - Dust Olive Ano Frame/Ti Iridium/Rootbeet rubber

Here are some examples of the color:
Dust Clear: http://www.compulsivepaintball.com/mmCP/Images/dyedm7Clear.jpg

Dust Olive: http://www.compulsivepaintball.com/mmCP/Images/dyedm7Olv.jpg

Dust Clear and Polished Copper: http://gruntbullanodizing.com/images/i06/i6010_3.JPG

I will not go into powder coating as I do not like the finish. Not that it is bad, but whe anoed correctly, it is such a nicer finished product (talking from paintball ano).

Stay tuned! Ollie

My vote's for the Storm Trooper one.

Thanks Dann :)

I just heard back, and the one company is willing to do it as I got done in the past. Will post details once I get the official quote.

8^D

Will there be any issues with X-Metal? It's an alloy and what about reacting to the finishes that may already be on them?

dude i think youe have some very nice "sick" colors.
I think you are going to geve T0T@l O a run for his money.
very nice, and alll the best man, maybe you can suply us with some frames.

let us know how it turns out.

As the x-metal is a titanium alloy, it should be no problem, since titanium as well as aluminum can be anodized. In regard to the finish that is already there, they will acid wash the items or beat blast them to take the finish off so the raw metal will be exposed. From there the ano process will just be followed thru completion. The ano guy is confident he can do it, and since I get a deal on a frame I will not be too upset if it bombs. At least I can say I tried it...and let the rest of the folks in here know that you either CAN or CAN NOT do it. Should be a cool project. And I think a good amount of info can come out of it for the forum.


o-static - I will not mind helping out for sure if this is something people are interested in, as it might not be everyone's cup of tea...but if it comes to that point, I will have to check with the ano guy as well, as of right now he offered to do a 'one-time' fav. But it is all about the details and I am sure something can be worked out.


I just want to make sure it works, post pix, and have people decide for themselves.

OK - guess I got too excited to soon. I talked to the ano guy again, and he said if the Juliets have Titanium in it, they will not anodize the same way like Aluminum does. Titanium is being dyed without color and by electrical voltage/charge therefore the output will be 'rainbow' like...also refered to as 'Aurora' or like 'oil on a wet street'. See dogtag for output example...definitely a interesting effect, but I doubt I will wear that...



Can someone clarify this for me then...my understanding is that X-Metal is a Titanium Alloy, correct? I called Oakley customer service and they said they cannot give out that information. (Not like I want to know the exact mixture/combination. It's a Yes or No question. But whatever.)

Thanks, Ollie

EDIT: Called back and talked to someone who was able to confirm that Titanium is in it. Maybe I just got someone on the line first time around who did not know and used the above as an excuse. Doesn't matter either way. I got the answer I was looking for.

Back to the drawing board... :/

EDIT#2: It looks like the only way possible to get the effect I want is powder coating. This on the other hand I don't know how much it will cost. I'm looking into this right now. The color I could go for is below...



now I have to find a place where I can get this done...Damn! And I thought I had something going here...

As usual...stay tuned, I have not given up yet! Ollie

Look forward to whatever you end up finding out. Sounds like an interesting project and it's always nice to see customs pushing the boundaries. Gone are the days of simple lens swapping :P Most extreme mod should be a choice for next years Icon Awards.

Here is an extreme crappy chop...I'm on my laptop and do not have a mouse hooked up...only this crappy touch pad bs...but you get the idea...I will do a better one on my desk top tomorrow or so...

Now that looks damn good. I'd like one of those myself, in a Penny. Very sweet combo choice! I'm very anxious to see how yours come out!


~Yukio

you could probably obtain that "effect" by sand blasting the frame and leaving it unfinished from there...Sand blasting yields a very nice matte finish, but I would not have any clue of the oxidation issues with raw X Metal...If not, it appears to have a similar color to acid etched glass...Maybe you could find a battered pair to test it on and see the results, or just opt for a powdercoat process at maybe 1 mil thickness and you would need to tear them down to accomplish it which seems to be Oxide's niche

Hi Josh - I would go the sandblasting route, but I would have to get the metal sealed. Unsealed will probably cauase all sorts of issues and will result in the frames ending up in the trash for sure. The effect by doing the sandblasting will be very close to the Oakley Hatchet Raw frame. Which is more silver then white.

The glasses will have to be disassemlbed either way (ano, powder coating, or sandblasting) so I am not to worried about it. If I can't figure it out I will ask on here for sure. Bt I think I got the idead.

After sleeping over it ( 5.40am - had to get up to feed the Pussies) I am still determined to get this done. I think it will look extremely awesome. I just gotta wait for the quotes to come in. After that...point of no return. They will either end up the way I want them...or on ebay for parts LOL

Thanks for the feedback!! Back to bed...G'nite...Ollie

without a coating, I think you may end up with the problems the first run of Plasma and Ti had. Definitely needs a sealer coat.

you can seal it with this

www.zoopseal.com