[Milsurplus] Equipment Tag Cleaning

[J. Forster]

Caustic cleaner may well remove the anodizing and destroy the nameplate. There
are several processes used for making the tags. How (and if) they can be cleaned
is a function of the process.

Anodizing is an electrochemical process used to form a clear Aluminum Oxide
layer. That layer is porous and clear and color is achieved with dyes. You might
try a water based black ink or Rit fabric dye and soaking the nameplate for a
while in a diluted solution of that, then rinsing. The loss of color is often
due to the dye bleeching out over time. If it works, wax it after the rinse.

I would try it on a junker first.

-John


James C Whartenby wrote:

> Call for Help!
> Does anyone on the list have a tried and true method of cleaning those
> aluminum equipment designation tags?
> I assume the lettering is made by a black anodize (reverse of plating?)
> process.  The problem with the one I have is it appears to be faded,
> maybe bleached by the sun?  I was thinking of using a caustic cleaner to
> brighten the bare aluminum but I don't know what to do about renewing the
> anodized finish.
> I tried a Google search but didn't find anything useful.  Any suggestions
> would be appreciated!
> Regards from Arkansas,
> Jim
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