Anodising

[CommuteTooFar]

I want some anodising done for a metal work project I am doing. I originally planned to do it from brass but changed my mind and bought the much cheaper aluminium. The problem with aluminium is that it tends to look awful after a year or two.  This piece of furniture will be used until I die which I hope is a long time. Anodising is the best solution to this problem.

Now I could do this myself
Polish component.
Immerse component in caustic soda to chemically clean it.
Rinse with distilled water (tap water is not clean enough).
Immerse in Nitric Acid to remove non aluminium parts of alloy that have been brought out by cleaning.
Rinse with distilled water
Connect with aluminium wire to power supply (anode),
Connect piece of lead about the same area as the component (cathode).
Suspend in to a container of Sulphuric Acid
Switch on and wait a bit. Switch off.
Rinse with distilled water.
Dip in dye.
Boil in distilled water to seal dye.
Polish lightly.

Easy isn’t it. On second thoughts considering my wish to live a long time I do not want to do that myself.

Can anybody recommend a commercial anodiser / electroplater that accepts small one off jobs from a private individual?  Not too expensive of course.  Does anyone have an idea to the cost?

I have
4 pieces made from  4 600mn x 12mm x 12mm square bar,
4 pieces made from  4 500mm x 12mm x 12mm square bar.
4 pieces made from 4 110mm x 12mm x 12mm square bar
14 pieces made from 14 25mm x 12mm x 12mm square bar.
24 pieces made from 1 piece of 30mm x 30mm x 2mm sheet.

I am making a frame with glass shelves.

[Rhys W]

You want try a local alloy wheels refurbishment place.

[tatanab]

It's 25 years since I last did it but I just walked into the local metal finishing place and asked them if they could do a pair of hubs for me.  It was no problem even though I wanted a gold finish.  I am sure it did not cost much but I would have paid a fair bit if needed because I wanted gold hubs.

[Jurek]

Hand over the bits to a commercial anodiser - make it their problem - they'll deal with it if they're any good.
Don't be messing with it yourself, it's just not worth it.

[rafletcher]

You want try a local alloy wheels refurbishment place.

The paint, not anodise, generally.

[Rhys W]

The one I was thinking of (Cardiff, Newport Road opposite Colchester Avenue) had the word "electroplating" prominently displayed. I have a feeling they're not there anymore though.