FAQ

All the products we offer are in stock in larger quantities and shipped immediately. If, despite of very generous storage, bottlenecks occur, we take these articles out of our program, so you always can order only in stock articles.

The answer is simple: because quality costs money
But you will see below that the colors are actually even very cheap.

Highly specialized chemical products such as anodized colors go through many steps before they are available as an end product. In particular, the optimal adjustment of the dye molecules to the properties of the anodized layer requires considerable effort during production. This also demonstrates why other dyes gives at best imperfect, but mostly insufficient results: without the special design of the molecules they are not able to store themself permanently or they are destroyed at the pore walls after short time.

Ultraviolet resistance

Of course you can also abuse other colorants (normal color, simple azo dyes, ink, etc.) and possibly even produce a colored layer. Latest on UV-irradiation separates the wheat from the chaff. Due to the extremely low thickness (mostly 1/100mm) normal colors are not able to create appropriate reserves against UV degradation - these colors are not designed for such thin layers. As a result you get work pieces which fade massive after a few days/weeks, show discolouration - or even complete decolouration.
In contrast, many of our dyes are even used in the exterior (e.g., high rise faces) - with needed highest demands on UV-resistance over the years.
We discourage you to experiment with other dye groups. You can believe us: we already have all this behind us. Meanwhile we have performed over 5000 runs with different colors and configurations. You will avoid a lot of frustration and work - especially if you have to anodise again after a few weeks due to color fading.
One would certainly not get the idea to refuel his vehicle with wood chips instead of petrol - following the motto: "Why not? They both are fuels! "

Industrial dyes

All the dyes we offer are used worldwide in industrial production. There is emphasis laid on straightforward applicability, robustness and excellent, reproducible results. Naturally, such requirements are associated with higher prices. You can be sure: when you get our dyes you get the best dyes of the world market. A professional company Hilti hammer drill costs significantly more than a no-name device of a special sale in a hardware store - for good reasons.

Logistics/warehousing

We buy each dye where it is offered with the highest quality (Asia, America, Europe). Because this usually means sea shipping and the periods for shipping are correspondingly high, we have to have an appropriate stock to be able to supply to our customers at any time.
One of our principles is: what we offer has to be in stock. At the usual quantities this is a substantial investment in advance - and this risk must be covered.
In addition the dyes are bottled, packaged, labeled, and sent - these work must be paid.
And finally, the government needs taxes for its damp household budget.

Productivity

From us you only receive pure dyes with highest yield. Of course, there are "black sheeps" in the chemical industry. They stretch their products and thus can offer them cheaper (you would not believe what is offered as "dye" to us).
With 10 grams of our dyes you can stain several square meters (about 3-4 grams per square meter; one exception is deep black, from which it takes about 6-8 grams per square meter). Lower saturation increases the stained area accordingly. For small parts, this means that you can colourise several dozen to hundreds of parts with 10 grams of dye.
Furthermore, all of our dyes - dissolved in water - can be used over several years (provided that the optimum pH value is set and our conservation additive is used).

We are sorry: no. We are doing anodisation in our laboratory solely for research and for setting parameters for specific problems of our customers. For series and unique pieces we lack the capacity.

Sulfuric acid is usually available inexpensive.

• The most obvious source is certainly battery acid from the local market for car accessories, sometimes from hardware stores. Ask your car repair shop - sometimes they use sulfuric acid for filling in car batteries.
• Often, specialised stores for car repair companies (in Germany: Temot, Asemissen, ATU, etc.) sell larger containers of sulfuric acid from stock. Price: about €40.00 for 35 kg of sulfuric acid 38%.
• A third possibility is going to the pharmacy. But generally you will have to pay some more there.
• For larger quantities you should also consult chemical distributors. There you usually get the best value for money combined with a large selection of available concentrations. However, many of these dealers supply only commercial customers.

Remember: You need about 12-19% sulfuric acid concentration. Battery acid concentration is 38%, so you can mix it 1:2 to 1:1 with distilled water to stretch and therefore you require correspondingly less sulfuric acid!

And again the warning:

Distilled Water and demineralised water describe virtually the same: water which doesn't contain any impurities (mainly ions). This water is ideal for our dye baths and also any other chemical baths that must be recognized because no impairment of this can be done by pollution. In particular, the lifetime of the dye baths is increased considerably.

• Distilled or demineralized water is available in hardware stores or supermarkets, usually in five-liter cans and very cheap (1-2 euros for five liters).
• For larger quantities, you should check for chemical distributors. You usually get the best price/performance ratio there. However, many of these distributors only supply commercial customers.