Allen,
I had the cockpit trim anodized by Ano-Brite a few years ago for my
Bugeye restoration. It came out perfect. I am now restoring a BN2
and will not hesitate sending out the aluminum trim to them again.
They are very reasonable in price and have experience with British
car trim. The anodizing you are looking for is called "Bright Dip"
anodizing. While Ano-Brite does this process, it was explained to me
that chemicals used in the process vary from country to country, so
while the trim anodized here will be quite beautifully done, there
are slight differences in the finish. Probably nothing anyone will
notice unless you had two pieces side by side, one from Ano-Brite and
one NOS from Healey production and it would only be slight. You just
have to be concerned about deep scratches in the aluminum. They will
polish them out, but if the scratch is too deep, it will change the
shape of the trim. Other than that, you will be most happy when it
returns. I get a lot of compliments on mine and asked where I had it
done. While most people just polish the aluminum, which also looks
great, you have to keep polishing it. I think the Bright Dip
anodizing is a much more pleasing finish to compliment a fresh
interior restoration.
Mike MacLean
56 BN2
60 AN5
Allen C Miller, Jr.
> I have saved a prior thread item from Mick Vander Ploeg which highly
> recommends Ano-Brite in North Hollywood, CA for re-annodizing cockpit
> trims. I
> have found no other sources for traditional annodizing in New England,
> which
> would be closer to home.
>
> My local plater did an early BN1 'gauge pod' insert for the dash and it
> came
> out wonderfully, but the annodizing was done in a commercial bath, and was
> not, as he acknowledges, traditional bright dipped annodizing which yields
> the
> perfect satin sheen. The effect was more like well-painted aluminum, which
> was
> the effect I was after on that application, anyway.
>
> However, with the cockpit trims, I am after period looking perfection, and
> would like to send the trims out to the best around.
>
> Does anyone have experience with Ano-Brite who can confirm the quality of
> work?
>
> Does anyone have a closer source in New England? The 100M trims are
> matching
> number stamped and I am reluctant to mail them to a stranger, or
> entrusting
> them to Fed Ex ( I have intrusive thoughts of Tom Hanks using them as
> survival
> tools to gouge nourishment from sea urchins ala 'Castaway').
>
> Allen Miller BN2M
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