Anyone have a pistol frame re-anodized?

[ZeroFoxGiven]

Looking to have an old beat up pistol frame re-anodized in the San Diego area. Trying to avoid mailing it due to the cost.

Anyone know a local FFL that offers that service?

*Edit*. This is for an aluminum framed pistol frame that will have milling work, etc done to it at home so I would need to have this item re-anodized because the areas worked on would need to be re-hardened through the anodizing process. I hope this clears up any confusion on my part.

 

[ChallengerScatPackClub]

If I recall correcrly it is not a good idea. The stripping process makes the metal thinner and weaker. How about Cerakote?

 

[ZeroFoxGiven]

If I recall correcrly it is not a good idea. The stripping process makes the metal thinner and weaker. How about Cerakote?

It needs to be completely reanodized if I mill in checkering, etc. Suppose I could have lead with that. Reanodizing the frame is the process to hardened the surface again, so it would not be weaker.

 

[treelogger]

Anodizing is usually done to aluminum, and a few related alloys. Are you sure your frame is aluminum? If it is steel, you are probably talking about black oxide treatment, or Parkerizing (phosphate treatment), which are completely different chemistry.

And no, I don't know anyone in San Diego who does that. I've had very good luck with Novak's, but they are far away and require mailing.

 

[ZeroFoxGiven]

Anodizing is usually done to aluminum, and a few related alloys. Are you sure your frame is aluminum? If it is steel, you are probably talking about black oxide treatment, or Parkerizing (phosphate treatment), which are completely different chemistry.

And no, I don't know anyone in San Diego who does that. I've had very good luck with Novak's, but they are far away and require mailing.

Yes, my pistol frame is indeed aluminum, that is not in doubt. I'm just hoping to not have to mail it as it's unnecessarily more a PITA then it needs to be.

 

[llamasusmc]

titaniumfinishing.com. I've used them for frames and misc. parts. They will take even the smallest job. They do type III class 2 hard anodizing too. Excellent work and fast turn around.

 

[llamasusmc]

titaniumfinishing.com. I've used them for frames and misc. parts. They will take even the smallest job. They do type III class 2 hard anodizing too. Excellent work and fast turn around.

But you have to ship it to them.

 

[ZeroFoxGiven]

But you have to ship it to them.

Yeah, the last time I shipped a pistol was about 20 years ago to Wilson Combat. I remember it was a PITA finding a place that could legally ship firearms overnight. Had to go to the “Main Hub” of FedEx (I believe) in was like Otay Mesa area and about $100.

What’s shipping cost now? Do FFL’s ship for you, or would I still need to find a carrier?

Just trying to get my ducks in a row.

Semper Fi!

 

[GoldensRule]

Re-anodizing can cause dimensional changes. Is this a rare or valuable pistol? Sentimental value? Proper anodizing is hard work and changes the molecular composition of the surface layers of aluminum and the caustic soda used to remove the anodizing is a motherless on the material especially anything that has fine tolerances. Can you post some pictures?

 

[llamasusmc]

Yeah, the last time I shipped a pistol was about 20 years ago to Wilson Combat. I remember it was a PITA finding a place that could legally ship firearms overnight. Had to go to the “Main Hub” of FedEx (I believe) in was like Otay Mesa area and about $100.

What’s shipping cost now? Do FFL’s ship for you, or would I still need to find a carrier?

Just trying to get my ducks in a row.

Semper Fi!

A frame is about $100. They will piece together orders to give you a better deal. Don’t want to give the wrong legal advise, but I have shipped direct since I was the owner of the frame and it was disassembled. Semper Fi!

 

[ZeroFoxGiven]

Re-anodizing can cause dimensional changes. Is this a rare or valuable pistol? Sentimental value? Proper anodizing is hard work and changes the molecular composition of the surface layers of aluminum and the caustic soda used to remove the anodizing is a motherless on the material especially anything that has fine tolerances. Can you post some pictures?

Haven’t done the work yet. Nothing special, just a hard used gun that I would like to make some changes to the frame and that would require re-anodizing.

Not worried about the dimensions, etc. I already have researched, etc. I’m really just looking to see if anyone knows a San Diego local anodizer with an FFL.

Thank you though.

 

[Plenty_Pack_556]

Yeah, the last time I shipped a pistol was about 20 years ago to Wilson Combat. I remember it was a PITA finding a place that could legally ship firearms overnight. Had to go to the “Main Hub” of FedEx (I believe) in was like Otay Mesa area and about $100.

What’s shipping cost now? Do FFL’s ship for you, or would I still need to find a carrier?

Just trying to get my ducks in a row.

Semper Fi!

I don't think cost is the issue in shipping firearms these days versus 20 years ago. To ship a gun to a ffl from ffl could cost upto what they charge for inbound gun transfers, more or less.

These days though, it isn't about the cost, but more-so about the number of sticky fingers in any logistics company.

 

[ZeroFoxGiven]

I don't think cost is the issue in shipping firearms these days versus 20 years ago. To ship a gun to a ffl from ffl could cost upto what they charge for inbound gun transfers, more or less.

These days though, it isn't about the cost, but more-so about the number of sticky fingers in any logistics company.

I will check with my LGS then. Thanks

 

[9mmContagion]

Try calling Danco. They have a couple locations. Arcadia, Ontario, Santa Ana. Maybe they can help. They used to do all of our anodizing when I worked in aerospace and medical device manufacturing

 

[eaglemike]

You want Type III hard ano. Some alloys are better than others to anodize. It's helpful to know what alloy you have.
Most places strip, which removes the old ano, and then about .0005 base material, assuming they are paying attention and removing minimal material. Hard ano can be controlled in thickness, again if they pay attention. Then it's sealed. Hole and fitting dimension can change.
They have to have a contact point of bare metal, usually the 2 points where they rack it are used. Those will also show bare ater process, but can be covered with a sharpie.
I have anodize done all the time for my products. Type II and Type III. I don't know if they guys there would want to bother with a frame. They do AR lowers, or have in the past, but minimum charge is over $100.
IMO you might consider Alumihyde or a similar product from Brownells. (spelling might be wrong)

 

[ZeroFoxGiven]

I appreciate the advice, but really was just looking for info if someone knew a local anodizer with an FFL as I didn’t see anything on google.

Seems I will get my LGS to ship when the time comes. Thanks to everyone who took the time to respond.

 

[treelogger]

Is it legally a rifle or a handgun? Note that a frame is still legally a gun, as far as shipping it is concerned.

If rifle, you can ship it yourself inexpensively using USPS. Yes, the postal service. Given that is is small and weighs little, that will be cheap.

If handgun, shipping it yourself is expensive, because you have to use the major overnight services (FedEx, UPS), and the FFL has to prepay the shipping and issue the shipping tag. But your local FFL can ship inexpensively using USPS. So a good question to ask would be: What local FFL is willing to ship the frame for a reasonable fee?

 

[eaglemike]

I appreciate the advice, but really was just looking for info if someone knew a local anodizer with an FFL as I didn’t see anything on google.

Seems I will get my LGS to ship when the time comes. Thanks to everyone who took the time to respond.

Any place that does anodizing on a serialized part has to have an FFL. I thought that was understood. There is a school of thought that thinks it might be ok if you are there while the work is done. Sometimes people might do the work off the books, but be very careful. It's pretty easy to mess up a frame if stripping is involved. That's one reason I suggested Alumihide. Good luck.
If you go though an FFL, ask them what guarantee is offered.

 

[ZeroFoxGiven]

Any place that does anodizing on a serialized part has to have an FFL. I thought that was understood. There is a school of thought that thinks it might be ok if you are there while the work is done. Sometimes people might do the work off the books, but be very careful. It's pretty easy to mess up a frame if stripping is involved. That's one reason I suggested Alumihide. Good luck.
If you go though an FFL, ask them what guarantee is offered.

The FFL was a requirement if I shipped or stayed local because the part would be in their hands for days at minimum.

That was never in question, just if there was a San Diego based Anodizer that held an FFL. Since there does not appear to be one, I will use my LGS (FFL) to ship to a anodizer outside of San Diego or the state that also has an FFL to accept item since it is a serialized pistol frame.

 

[eaglemike]

The FFL was a requirement if I shipped or stayed local because the part would be in their hands for days at minimum.

That was never in question, just if there was a San Diego based Anodizer that held an FFL. Since there does not appear to be one, I will use my LGS (FFL) to ship to a anodizer outside of San Diego or the state that also has an FFL to accept item since it is a serialized pistol frame.

I'm in the San Diego area. You can reach out to Miramar metal processing and see if they will take it on. They've done a LOT of AR lowers in the past.