Does anyone else wish more lights were available in a clear anodized finish? I love my clear anodized Convoy L6 and Sofirn IF22a (photos from the internet), but most of my lights are black.
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Yes. I particularly like the clear IF22A, it looks very retro.
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The anodization protects the light so would not be a big fan of raw aluminum lights even though I have a few.
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What’s the rating on the “clear” anodizing? It looks awesome, cheap but not cheap type of feel
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They’re not raw, they’re “clear anodized”. Whether type 2 or type 3, I’m curious
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It’s not type III.
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I’m not an expert on the chemistry, but my few clear anodized lights look like new whereas most of my black colored lights pick up scratches quickly. I’ve had my Convoy L6 since 2017, use it regularly, and here’s a pic of it now. It’s really an all-around incredible product.
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Don’t own any yet, but that might be my next step! I’ve been buying a lot of Sofirn lights lately which aren’t available in Ti.
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There are some titanium lights from Convoy!
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I never heard of clear anodization. I have heard of un-andodized lights that are raw aluminum.
Anodization protects the light from scratches and scuff marks.
Most of the lights we have are type II anodization. There is also type III anodization that is significantly tougher.
So my question is, are you talking about un-anodized lights becasue I never heard of clear anodization.
If there is such a thing, post the white paper so we can read about it.
Aren’t silver maglites anodized?
To my understanding, anodizing is for the specific purpose of anti-corrosion…we just get a little fancy with the colors using dyes, voltage, etc…it’s essentially metal callousing.
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Ages ago I also got a clear-ano SP32A v2.0 in addition to Chameleon Color.
I just assumed they were more “fragile” than colored ano, showing every single scratch and scuff, that I never actually carried it.
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Have the BLF A6, BLF Wildfire WildTrail version of D80 and the SP31v2.
Thought they were all sold as raw, no ano but maybe mistaken.
The Wildfire has no id laser markings and is polished well.
The A6 is the most dull finish of the 3.
Love them all.
I’m only guessing at this because I also haven’t heard of clear anodising and just assumed it was raw metal. But aluminium is a fairly reactive metal and oxidises easily, I have kitchen utensils and pans that aren’t shiny anymore.
Sweaty hands are acidic, copper patinates quickly, so I’d expect aluminium to at least begin to oxidise.
Anyone have a picture of one? I googled but couldn’t find a photo
It’s ambiguous and likely to be the colour description not the metal finishing.
There’s an 8 year old Convoy above that shows no oxidization, there must be some sort of protective layer.
From an anodising service description of services.
“ With anodising, achieving the colour ‘white’ is not possible. You can however produce a uniform ‘clear’ film by forming a transparent oxide layer on the surface of the aluminium part, which will allow the metal’s natural metallic colour show through.”
AI overview:
“ Yes, aluminum can be anodized to achieve a wide range of colors, including those that mimic the natural silver/metallic appearance of aluminum, and the anodizing process itself is what allows for this color integration.‘
Indeed! I wish they made more. They’re some of my favorites. Im bummed i missed out on the clear Astrolux FT02. I have a clear WT90 that will never be sold.
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Clear FT02, wow never saw one.