Anodized Truck Boxes

How does Anodizing work?

The high durability and sheen of an anodized aluminum finish is achieved through several carefully controlled stages that have been developed over the 50 years that anodizing has been utilized to finish coat aluminum. Other applications of the anodizing process include a wide variety of windows and doors, appliances, automotive parts (where corrosion resistance and/or lubrication properties are especially important), lighting, food preparation equipment, furniture, sporting goods and marine uses.

First, the boxes are chemically cleaned to completely remove grease, surface dirt and imperfections in the raw metal. Next is a pre-treatment with a mixture of acids which chemically smoothes the surface of the aluminum. The “bright dip” variation of this pre-treatment produces the glossy finish considered the ultimate look in anodizing.

The actual change in the chemical composition of the surface of the aluminum, the acceleration of the oxidation of its outer face, is created by passing an electrical current through an acid electrolyte bath in which the box is immersed. The resulting anodic film is bonded to the level beneath with unmatched adhesion, bright dip treatment and all. The resulting coating is approximately 30% thicker than the metal it replaces, since the volume of oxide produced is greater than that of the metal replaced.

Color may then be added to the very porous structure of the surface, or not if a natural finish is desired. The surface is then finish sealed with an acetate solution, further enhancing resistance to staining, abrasion, crazing and degradation.

The entire process is very rigorously controlled with exacting calibrations and quality testing to meet West Desert’s exacting product specifications. The result is an exterior surface highly resistant to abrasion, corrosion and fading. The bright finish is uniform throughout the diamond-plated surface and will stay that way, unlike the finish used by our competitors.

What are the benefits of an Anodized truck box?

• The anodized truck box surface is highly resistant to abrasion, corrosion, and fading
• The brilliant finish is uniform and will stay that way for the life of the box
• An anodized surface is easy to wash and keep clean
• An anodized surface is highly resistant to staining
• The anodized truck box becomes extraordinarily hard, durable, and weather-resitant