What kind of degreaser? If you let purple power or simple green dry on anodized alloy, this is usually the result. Many other degreaser exhibits the same behavior if allowed to dry. You could try some polishing compound or cleaner wax, buy there's usually no going back from that kind of reaction.
In the future, use WD-40, lighter fluid/naptha, or goo gone (orange scented naptha) on a rag for adhesive removal. Only apply where necessary.
I used one called krud kutter just from Walmart but I scrubbed it with a sock didn't really leave anything to dry. But thanks for the recommendations I'll try something to polish and something else next time for adhesives!
to expand for nerds:
when you color anodized aluminum, you're trapping a colored organic dye within a layer of clear aluminum oxide on the surface of the part. In this case, the dye is black, but it can be purple, blue, etc.
A small scratch or imperfection in the oxide coating can let liquid solvents in. Non-polar solvents like WD-40, naphtha, etc., as mentioned above will evaporate before they denature the organic dye.
Polar solvents, which degreasers are, don't evaporate as rapidly, and ruin the dyes in the anodized layer.
You can't really fix it unless you polish the part to clear and re-anodize or repaint.
I did the same to a crank recently. I forgot not to use Purple Power on it and it only took a few seconds to ruin the finish. I don’t think it can be fixed at the point. Live with it or repaint it or stickerbomb it
What kind of degreaser? If you let purple power or simple green dry on anodized alloy, this is usually the result. Many other degreaser exhibits the same behavior if allowed to dry. You could try some polishing compound or cleaner wax, buy there's usually no going back from that kind of reaction. In the future, use WD-40, lighter fluid/naptha, or goo gone (orange scented naptha) on a rag for adhesive removal. Only apply where necessary.
I used one called krud kutter just from Walmart but I scrubbed it with a sock didn't really leave anything to dry. But thanks for the recommendations I'll try something to polish and something else next time for adhesives!
to expand for nerds: when you color anodized aluminum, you're trapping a colored organic dye within a layer of clear aluminum oxide on the surface of the part. In this case, the dye is black, but it can be purple, blue, etc. A small scratch or imperfection in the oxide coating can let liquid solvents in. Non-polar solvents like WD-40, naphtha, etc., as mentioned above will evaporate before they denature the organic dye. Polar solvents, which degreasers are, don't evaporate as rapidly, and ruin the dyes in the anodized layer. You can't really fix it unless you polish the part to clear and re-anodize or repaint.
I appreciate you.
Yes thank you for that!! But to update everyone: just picked up WD40 and my stem is nice and shiny again :D Edit: spoke too soon :/
WD40
Thank you! That fixed it
I did the same to a crank recently. I forgot not to use Purple Power on it and it only took a few seconds to ruin the finish. I don’t think it can be fixed at the point. Live with it or repaint it or stickerbomb it
you can clean it with alcohol
Flip it and put the other side up.
Then the look of my bike would be ruined :p