Anodized Aluminum has no bite. Alcohol and chalk doesn't help much. Tried a dozen strikers. Its so bad you would be crazy to chance it in the woods due to hitting a bad note. I know you shouldn't scratch them so what would you do?
Put some 60 grit sand paper on it.
Others will disagree, I've got a video in the call you tube section to back my claims up though.
I have heard Dels call and he's worn through the anodized surface and it plays like a top!!! I agree with del myself even though it's against the grain of what others might think?
I agree with the above statements. I heard Del's call in person too, sounded great. I took some 150 grit sandpaper and went over my Halloran anodized aluminum birdseye maple pot. It really woke the call up and gave it more rasp and a better grip. I didn't completely remove the coating like on Del's call, but I did scratch it up pretty good. I would either sell the call or try the sandpaper. It doesn't sound like you are going to hunt with it the way it is, so what do you have to loose?
Quote from: cannonball on April 25, 2012, 09:40:38 PM
I agree with the above statements. I heard Del's call in person too, sounded great. I took some 150 grit sandpaper and went over my Halloran anodized aluminum birdseye maple pot. It really woke the call up and gave it more rasp and a better grip. I didn't completely remove the coating like on Del's call, but I did scratch it up pretty good. I would either sell the call or try the sandpaper. It doesn't sound like you are going to hunt with it the way it is, so what do you have to loose?
I believe you hit the nail on the head. I can't think of any other options and can't use it as it is. I will most likely try to sand it just enough to bite. I will still check back and see what others have posted. I appreciate the inputs .
Use a little green scotch brite first. If that works a little move up to a drywall sanding screen or the 60 grit sandpaper. You don't need to push down to hard when doing it. Just enough to rough the surface.
Is it slick or bead blasted? If it's slick then I'd think it would need conditioned whether it is anodized or not ??? My anodized aluminum is colored. The process done nothing to give the striker grip or keep it from being conditioned unless you use the bead blasted side which is basically preconditioned for a while.
If it is bead blasted and the surface is clean, I would guess it to be the striker or the call itself before the surface
First, I would start with a finer grade grit sand paper and work my way up to course, this way you can "tune" your call until is sounds better... :turkey2: One of the true key things about turkey calling... a real turkey would never win a calling contest. The true judge is the turkey you call in... if you do.. you're a winner ;D
Andy, what do you recommend on your aluminum?. To answer your question this one is a slick surface anodized aluminum. I went ahead and lightly came across the surface with the grain 3 times with the green scotch brite pad. All is good now but I would forsee having to do this on occasion.
Thanks,
James
I use the green Scotchbrite on mine, but you will continue to condition the surface occasionally
Ive never used the slick side, but have a call that I used green scotch brite on.
Are there slick anodized calls that do not need conditioned?
One maker posted for sale a pot call that he made with unfinished aluminum. I recall him saying that there was no need to use anondized because people scratch it off anyway no matter what they are told.
I understand why anondized alum is used in other products like saltwater flyreels, but it makes me wonder what the point is of using it on turkey calls. It seems that plain might make more sense, but be a little more shiny that desired.
use a sanding stone...
I tried not to, but now have to weigh in on this one...
I use only powder blasted anodized aluminum in my calls. The powder blasting gives the surface a texture that does not need conditioning. The anodized coating keeps the aluminum from oxidizing, that dull graying effect that happens to raw aluminum. The beauty of a powder blasted anodized aluminum surface is that it requires only an alcohol pad to clean it... no sanding, no scuffing, no regrets. This surface in my calls has taken multiple awards at national callmaking contests. It has contributed to more dead turkeys than I can keep track of. Eventually the texture will wear down with use. My personal aluminum call became slick after a few years. I use rainchalk on the surface before a season starts and generally don't have to add more chalk for the rest of the season. The call does not miss a beat.
Hey, if 60 grit sandpaper works on your call, fine, have at it. I cringe just thinking about it. I go with the idea of trying the finest abrasive and working up from there, but would at least try the rainchalk if you haven't. It has a resin property not found in plain boxcall chalk. I know that I am a callmaker, not an artist, but just thinking about sandpaper makes me shudder...
every anodized call will wear out and need sanded imho. no matter how good. slick aluminum sounds better anyway imho.sand it with 150 or 100 first one direction then turn 90 degrees sand again you might be pleasently surprised.trust me.
Quote from: Turkey Call Maker on April 26, 2012, 10:25:39 AM
First, I would start with a finer grade grit sand paper and work my way up to course, this way you can "tune" your call until is sounds better... :turkey2: One of the true key things about turkey calling... a real turkey would never win a calling contest. The true judge is the turkey you call in... if you do.. you're a winner ;D
A real turkey would never win a calling contestJim, that has to be the best thing i have ever read on this site
Thanks Fellas for all the great advice. I had another aluminum call that came with a piece of the sanding screen but no instructions. So I assume the slick ones have to be conditioned, couldn't get a hold of the maker, after all season is in and we understand that.:agreed: I have one of Wendell and its not power coated like his, don't even think I had to clean that one yet!. I will keep it light and make the call last. After the Scotch Bright the call is sounding GOOOOD! Thanks James
Give that baby some character and rough that sucker up. Who cares what it looks like as long as it works and calls birds. Do what it takes to get that hockey puck to yackin and smackin. If all else fails..... toss it in the fire and getcha a copper call. :funnyturkey:
RainChalk® works for me.
Quote from: AngryBird on April 26, 2012, 07:10:23 PM
Give that baby some character and rough that sucker up. Who cares what it looks like as long as it works and calls birds. Do what it takes to get that hockey puck to yackin and smackin. If all else fails..... toss it in the fire and getcha a copper call. :funnyturkey:
:TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny: Really liked that AngryBird. I have some days like that though
Quote from: misfire on April 26, 2012, 02:30:35 PM
I use the green Scotchbrite on mine, but you will continue to condition the surface occasionally
This is what I do, that and 360 grit sandpaper
Quote from: AngryBird on April 26, 2012, 07:10:23 PM
Give that baby some character and rough that sucker up. Who cares what it looks like as long as it works and calls birds. Do what it takes to get that hockey puck to yackin and smackin. If all else fails..... toss it in the fire and getcha a copper call. :funnyturkey:
:icon_thumright:
Quote from: AngryBird on April 26, 2012, 07:10:23 PM
Give that baby some character and rough that sucker up. Who cares what it looks like as long as it works and calls birds. Do what it takes to get that hockey puck to yackin and smackin. If all else fails..... toss it in the fire and getcha a copper call. :funnyturkey:
OR GET THE BELT SANDER OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You know, you need to decide what sound you want out of your aluminum. My first aluminum call from 20 years ago was the loudest thing out there and birds love it. When MAD put it out, that was how it was marketed.So when I play/buy aluminum thats what I'm looking for. To me, it should hurt your ears, that's what aluminum calls were built for
Im not really sure about the true history of anodized aluminum, I can only speculate that it came out because someone was worried about the shine on regular aluminum. I can tell you, that I have never run one that can hit the levels of regular aluminum. They are louder, but not the same.
So if you just want something thats louder than another surface, anodized lightly scuffed will do you. If you want ear piercing yelps and cuts that birds answer from a mile away.....you need to rough it up. and if your worried about a gobbler seeing the shine of an aluminum pot call and spooking you need to run a mouth call. Your gonna bust more turkeys from movement to run the pot than the shine. Good luck, hope you figure it out.