Anodizing Questions and Recommendations

[briaschu1]

I have never had anything anodized before, mostly because I have a hard time justifying the cost, but I am thinking I would like to at least get the accent pieces on my ICD FS8 anodized to have them all match.
I'd like to have the main engine, feed neck clamp, eye covers, lpr, hpr and ASA all done to be a matching blue and possible a red splash and just leave the silver body\barrel\frame as is.


Few questions I wanted to check into.
1. What do you guys do with the parts with jewel stickers on them? Remove them and don't look back? Or is there a method to removed them and re-apply or someone that re-creates them?

2. Is there anything to worry about as far as clearance\assembly if having the main engine anodized? I am guessing its not any different than having a LPR or HPR done as those break down into parts as well.

3. Any tips on tearing down the STD Industries JDS lpr? The installation paper work says to not remove the set screw on the side. Of course it would need to be disassembled for the anodizing.
I attempted to remove the screw and may have opened a bigger can of worms of possible stripping the hex socket out. I tried applying heat and have not had any further luck. So wanted to check on this before screwing anything up further.

4. Lastly, any recommendations on Anodizing services? I have a few names on the list to check and get pricing from, but best to check with the people using the services. What's a rough price I should expect for something like this?

[LightArmsJXF]

I don't really have any advice on the rest but here's a bit about jewels for you...

Jewels can be reapplied if they're carefully (read: with extreme patience) removed. If you use brute force you'll damage the jewel and genuine replacements are often hard to get a hold of, especially for the older markers. Once you've removed them be very attentive about removing any adhesive that's left behind. Scraping with something like a piece of a credit card or plastic scraper afterwards can do a lot but do clean off any residue with something (like acetone, lighter fluid, or "Sticky Stuff Remover").

My preferred removal technique is basically the same as removing stick-on badges on cars. Get a length of thin thread, like for sewing, wrap the ends around your index fingers on both hands and try to get the middle of it under one edge of the jewel. Try to apply pressure around the jewel's base, don't try to pull up just across, and just keep that pressure on as the thread 'cuts' through the adhesive. Sometimes a sawing motion can help but, again, don't get too aggressive or you'll damage the jewel. Eventually the jewel will come free but it can be stuck back down if you accidentally push on it (guess how I found that one out). Reapplying comes down to the adhesive. I haven't reapplied any of the jewels I've removed (yet) so I don't have any recommendations for glues.

[briaschu1]

I've done the string trick with badges on flat surfaces before. But the small jewels here are all in recessed sections of the parts they are on so may be a little harder for that.
Was thinking of applying some heat to the aluminum part and not directly to the jewel to hopefully soften up the adhesive?

[LightArmsJXF]

yep, the recessed thing is a pain. I've used an old craft scalpel to lift a point so that the thread can get a start.

The heat thing could work but I've not tried it yet. How about using hot water? Lay the part flat with the jewel pointing up and fill the water up to the adhesive? It might be enough, maybe?

[TencenT]

Generally speaking, ano shouldn't cause clearance issues when done properly. Any of the top ano guys should be able to safely do it. I would message a few and get quotes. A few never messaged me back, red flag. Others took a long time, red flag. I had Ruckus do my Karni and I generally told him what I wanted but ultimately let him decide the details like it being two tone. I would say the ano work is 5/5, setting expectations of timeline and general communication is maybe 2/5. He would respond when I message him but it was on me basically every time to ask for updates and it definitely took a long while longer than the original expectation. None of these are deal breakers, the result matters more than the communication but just my honest experience.

[briaschu1]

Your Karni came out awesome. Ruckus has been coming across my FB feed lately so was definitely gonna get a quote from him.

[TencenT]

Everything I've seen him do has been really high quality as far as I can tell. I can only directly speak for one marker and it's definitely very well done in my opinion.