# HOW TO DE-ANODIZE **URL:** \ **Category:** Yo-Yo Mods and Maintenance\ **Created:** [May 18, 2011, 12:17am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-de-anodize/26414 "2011-05-18T00:17:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![hubstacker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/9fc348/32.png) [@hubstacker](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/hubstacker)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2011, 12:17am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-de-anodize/26414/1 "2011-05-18T00:17:56Z")
firstly i cannot stress the dangers of this process, although simple, if missed up, it can have severely or even fatal effects. but if saftey used, no harm will be done you will need: Gloves Mask (respirator, or cheap nose and mouth mask) protective clothes that you don’t care if they get damaged small plastic container nearby water source buffer of some kind GREASED LIGHTING BRAND all-purpose cleaner (very few other chemicals work for this process it is the best and fast chemical in my opinion) this process is best done on a hot, sunny day, the colder the solution is, the more time it takes to de-anodize the aluminum. first put on all saftery gear next take everything out of the yoyo including response, bearing, and axle if you can. then fill the container with enough solution to fully submerge the yoyo halves then wait about 15 to 20 minutes or until aluminum is completley silver (no longer than 20 minutes though) Note: extended time in solution may cause damage to the yoyo if left in too long after that quickly take aluminum sides into water and wash remaining solution off finally buff off the yoyo until completley silver color LATE UPDATE: I have found that microwaving the greased lighting in a microwave-safe container can speed up the proccess by about 3x the speed, just heat up the solution BEFORE putting the yoyo in it ---
**Author:** ![jtman562](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/jtman562/32/285_2.png) [@jtman562](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/jtman562)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2011, 12:22am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-de-anodize/26414/2 "2011-05-18T00:22:41Z")
Alternative: What you’ll need: Sandpaper Process: Figure it out. ---
**Author:** ![hubstacker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/9fc348/32.png) [@hubstacker](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/hubstacker)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2011, 1:13am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-de-anodize/26414/3 "2011-05-18T01:13:22Z")
with sandpaper, you either need a drill, or have to do it by hand, and the proccess can take a much longer time period, plus you have to do each side individually, which means your gonna have to get thoes hard to reach places and compromise the yoyos weight distribution.takes EVEN MORE time and even then, there can be a huge vibe created if the yoyos are not equally satined get what i’m sayin? ---
**Author:** ![jtman562](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/jtman562/32/285_2.png) [@jtman562](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/jtman562)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2011, 1:18am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-de-anodize/26414/4 "2011-05-18T01:18:52Z")
Mmmmmm… I guess. But I’d like to know what kind of sandpaper you’re using that makes that big of a difference as far as weight distribution. But I do understand where you’re coming from. Luckily I have a sandblaster, so I don’t have to worry ;). ---
**Author:** ![quinton](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/quinton/32/376_2.png) [@quinton](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/quinton)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2011, 1:49am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-de-anodize/26414/5 "2011-05-18T01:49:53Z")
> [@hubstacker](#): > > with sandpaper, you either need a drill, or have to do it by hand, and the proccess can take a much longer time period, plus you have to do each side individually, which means your gonna have to get thoes hard to reach places and compromise the yoyos weight distribution.takes EVEN MORE time and even then, there can be a huge vibe created if the yoyos are not equally satined > > get what i’m sayin? I liked this guide, but what you said here is just plain wrong. Sanding the anno off of a yoyo has only very miniscule effects towards the yoyos weight. Sanding (if done in an intelligent manner-and by intelligent, I mean with a hint of common sense) should never, ever, affect the yoyo in a way resulting in vibe. I’m not sure if your knowledge comes from experience, but if it does, I’m afraid it’s because you were doing something wrong. ---
**Author:** ![DG1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/dg1/32/606_2.png) [@DG1](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/DG1)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2011, 2:45am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-de-anodize/26414/6 "2011-05-18T02:45:38Z")
Naval Jelly works as well. It’s what Bryan Uses. Anyway, I agree w/ Q. I haven’t had a yoyo mess up from any sort of satin job 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Griffsnog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ea666f/32.png) [@Griffsnog](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Griffsnog)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2011, 2:53pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-de-anodize/26414/7 "2011-05-18T14:53:42Z")
> [@Halbach](#): > > Naval Jelly works as well. It’s what Bryan Uses. > > Anyway, I agree w/ Q. I haven’t had a yoyo mess up from any sort of satin job 😛 Aluminum jelly might work better. It is specifically for removing aluminum oxide. (that’s what ano is) naval jelly says on the label, “Do not use on aluminum” ---
**Author:** ![DG1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/dg1/32/606_2.png) [@DG1](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/DG1)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2011, 5:50pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-de-anodize/26414/8 "2011-05-18T17:50:10Z")
Acavando uses it to strip his yoyos. It works fine ---
**Author:** ![CaliBuddha](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/calibuddha/32/156_2.png) [@CaliBuddha](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/CaliBuddha)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2011, 6:04pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-de-anodize/26414/9 "2011-05-18T18:04:07Z")
Lye (sodium hydroxide), in general, is not supposed to be used on aluminum but if that is what it takes then that is what we shall do. Also, kids, please ONLY do this under adult supervision… Or, not at all. ---
**Author:** ![jasonwongzero](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/jasonwongzero/32/725_2.png) [@jasonwongzero](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/jasonwongzero)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2011, 6:28pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-de-anodize/26414/10 "2011-05-18T18:28:42Z")
> [@C3uddha](#): > > Lye (sodium hydroxide), in general, is not supposed to be used on aluminum but if that is what it takes then that is what we shall do. > > Also, kids, please ONLY do this under adult supervision… Or, not at all. I strip a lot of yoyos and I stress that messing with lye and aluminum is not safe. It heats up, smokes and emits a lot of noxious fumes. Please do under adult supervision only. ---
**Author:** ![dynikus](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/dynikus/32/812_2.png) [@dynikus](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/dynikus)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2011, 1:25am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-de-anodize/26414/11 "2011-05-19T01:25:43Z")
satining the anodize off doesn’t take very long. Probably about just as much, if not less time as this. Just take sand paper (I used 80, 120, 220, then 400 and 600 grit just for a more shiny finish) and a drill. put the yoyo in the drill, sand away anodize. take it out, then put in the other half. didn’t take long at all with my 888. ---
**Author:** ![DG1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/dg1/32/606_2.png) [@DG1](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/DG1)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2011, 2:54am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-de-anodize/26414/12 "2011-05-19T02:54:50Z")
> [@jasonwongzero](#): > > > [@C3uddha](#): > > > > Lye (sodium hydroxide), in general, is not supposed to be used on aluminum but if that is what it takes then that is what we shall do. > > > > Also, kids, please ONLY do this under adult supervision… Or, not at all. > > I strip a lot of yoyos and I stress that messing with lye and aluminum is not safe. It heats up, smokes and emits a lot of noxious fumes. Please do under adult supervision only. listen to him and Nick. They know their stuff 😛 ---
**Author:** ![popdada](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/popdada/32/629_2.png) [@popdada](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/popdada)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2011, 9:34pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-de-anodize/26414/13 "2011-05-20T21:34:45Z")
> [@Griffsnog](#): > > > [@Halbach](#): > > > > Naval Jelly works as well. It’s what Bryan Uses. > > > > Anyway, I agree w/ Q. I haven’t had a yoyo mess up from any sort of satin job 😛 > > Aluminum jelly might work better. It is specifically for removing aluminum oxide. (that’s what ano is) naval jelly says on the label, “Do not use on aluminum” Aluminum jelly… Not Recommended For New or anodized surfaces ---
**Author:** ![Griffsnog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ea666f/32.png) [@Griffsnog](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Griffsnog)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2011, 9:37pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-de-anodize/26414/14 "2011-05-20T21:37:42Z")
That’s because it will eat through aluminum oxide. ---
**Author:** ![popdada](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/popdada/32/629_2.png) [@popdada](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/popdada)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2011, 9:57pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-de-anodize/26414/15 "2011-05-20T21:57:36Z")
yeah…I figured that out…was about to pull my post…till you made me look stupid…I’ll give it a try and let you know…! ---
**Author:** ![Camjameron](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/camjameron/32/775_2.png) [@Camjameron](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Camjameron)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2011, 2:49am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-de-anodize/26414/16 "2011-05-21T02:49:34Z")
I might just have to try this on my next beater… ---
**Author:** ![Rika-chan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/rika-chan/32/767_2.png) [@Rika-chan](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Rika-chan)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2011, 6:23pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-de-anodize/26414/17 "2011-05-22T18:23:50Z")
i need some jelly to get a jasonwongzero ano! ---
**Author:** ![popdada](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/popdada/32/629_2.png) [@popdada](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/popdada)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2011, 7:05pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-de-anodize/26414/18 "2011-05-22T19:05:09Z")
so far Aluminum jelly does nothing… ---
**Author:** ![hubstacker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/9fc348/32.png) [@hubstacker](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/hubstacker)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2011, 4:50pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-de-anodize/26414/19 "2011-05-30T16:50:23Z")
i use greased lighting because you can just put the yoyos in the solution and just watch it or leave and do something else. realy, just come back after 15-20 minutes to check to see if the ano is completley off. then when it’s completley gone, quickly rinse off the solution with a water source BUT I ONLY USE GREASED LIGHTNING ---
**Author:** ![anonyo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@anonyo](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/anonyo)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2011, 6:34pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-de-anodize/26414/20 "2011-05-30T18:34:17Z")
What in gods name? Make a video and ill believe you, ive tried and bought greased lightning, Dont work… ive let it sit for 3 days actually, I do not recommend greased lightning. [Next page](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-de-anodize/26414.md?page=2)