Chemically blacken aluminum

[burnside63]

I am currently building a ship that requires dozens of aluminum railing stanchions to be black.  Not wanting to paint them all, I searched for ways to chemically blacken them.  Being a bit short of funds at this time, I am looking for something that uses chemicals I may gather from the local grocer or hardware store.  I am looking for a good, dark black color.  

 

Any and all recommendations are appreciated.

[Rik Thistle]

Black anodising might do but it involves electricity , acid and a dye (black)....https://www.wikihow.com/Anodize-Aluminum   

 

The electricity and the acid increases the thickness of the natuarally occuring aluminium oxide (rust) coating and the dye fills in the pores of the oxide layer.  This gives the aluminium a very hard surface finish and a reasonably black finish. But it won't be the blackest of blacks, IIRC.

 

There may be more benign ways of getting a black finish though that other members can recommend eg spray painting?

 

Regards,

 

Richard

 

   

[burnside63]

Thank you sir.  I am trying to avoid painting all of them.  They are barely 10mm x 2mm and I have dozens of them to color.

[marktiedens]

Birchwood Casey makes an aluminum black.  It can be found at a gun shop or a Bass Pro Shop.

 

Mark

[burnside63]

I bought some Aluminum Black.   Just tried it and it works perfectly. Thanks for the suggestion.