Federal Signal Aluminum Staining

Heres one ive havnent found discussed before, how does federal signal stain their aluminum lightbar parts?

I mainly ask because finding federal signal lights in the desert almost always leaves the stained aluminum back to its grey color or a mid purple tone, and i would love to find a way to restore that black color to those parts.

I have seen some chemicals like Aluminum Black from Birchwood Casey and wonder if that would hold up to restore the color.

 

[Benno]

how does federal signal stain their aluminum lightbar parts?

The aluminum is anodized and the anodized surface has been colored.
As far as I know, the surface can be discolored and recolored.

 

[stansdds]

It is anodized and the anodizing solution has a dye added to create the colored surface. To recolor it would require removing the anodized surface and anodize it again.

 

[NPS Ranger]

I mainly ask because finding federal signal lights in the desert almost always leaves the stained aluminum back to its grey color or a mid purple tone

Out of curiosity, where in the desert are you finding these lights? Is this like a big light graveyard, or more like an Easter egg hunt? Asking for a friend.

 

[SP7134]

Out of curiosity, where in the desert are you finding these lights? Is this like a big light graveyard, or more like an Easter egg hunt? Asking for a friend.

I dont really mean a literal barren desert if that is what you thought i meant lol, i mean it more that i live in El Paso and the hot dry climate affects absolutely everything you leave outside, so most things i find (mostly by asking when i see something interesting in a random lot or finding on facebook) have been left out and took in intense heat, UV and sand damage.

 

[SP7134]

I dont really mean a literal barren desert if that is what you thought i meant lol, i mean it more that i live in El Paso and the hot dry climate affects absolutely everything you leave outside, so most things i find (and to answer your question mostly by asking or finding on facebook marketplace) have been left out and took in intense heat, UV and sand damage.

 

[SP7134]

whoops that was supposed to be an edit and not a reply

 

[NPS Ranger]

And mine was supposed to be in jest.