Aluminum panel finishing methods

ashok · 22nd May 2006, 02:17 PM

Does anyone know how a satin finish is achieved on aluminum panels. Is it done chemically ( which one ) or by sand / glass bead blasting ?
I've seen very variable results with blasting methods.

A question on brush finishing.How do we get particles generated by the process from getting back on to the metal sheet and digging into the surface .
Thanks.

mzzj · 22nd May 2006, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ashok
Does anyone know how a satin finish is achieved on aluminum panels. Is it done chemically ( which one ) or by sand / glass bead blasting ?
I've seen very variable results with blasting methods.

Glass bead blasting with relatively low pressure gives semi-shiny satin finish. Too high air pressure on blasting results rough surface, more like sandblast-look.

es44 · 22nd May 2006, 02:32 PM

I haven't ever tried, but this is a link i have saved for a loong time, if i should ever get the urge

DIY "anodizing"
Have a nice day

TwoSpoons · 25th May 2006, 07:31 AM

I use fine steel wool, followed by a quick etch in caustic soda solution.

ashok · 25th May 2006, 09:17 AM

Thanks for all the replies.

I did forget about the steel wool and Scotch pad methods.
It's troublesome trying to clear off small surface defects first. I guess the sheet will have to be milled to take away a significant layer to get a perfect surface to work on.

I've never tried anodising at home. Might be a good idea to experiment with that. Easy to get all the chemicals over here.
I read about using vegetable dye's . Don't they fade with time in sunlight ? Even indirect sunlight ?

Has anyone seen the Metal Plating Bible found here http://www.metalplatingbible.com/

Is it a comprehensive ,detailed , practical book ?

Cheers.

dhenryp · 26th May 2006, 08:41 PM

Sanding is what I use. If you want a brushed look, use 60-100 grit sandpaper in a belt sander. If you don't have a belt sander, use a sanding block and only use linear back and forth motion. This will get rid of all but the deepest gouges in aluminum. It sounded way to harsh when I first heard of it but I've used it many times with uniformly good results. For a satin finish, go to finer grit; 230-320 or even higher grit.

I've looked at anodizing and may still eventually try it. The thing that holds me back is the thought of having a pretty large vat of sulphuric acid (diluted, but still 50% strength) sitting in my basement. I would certainly think much harder if there were kids in the house.

Denis

Andersonix · 1st June 2006, 08:55 PM

Belt sanding may be too aggressive and wear down the corners. I recommend progressively using fine sand paper, then Scotch Brite, purple then green (or just worn purple). With some practice laying the Scotch Brite down on a flat surface and evenly dragging the aluminum face completely across it in one direction, a very nice satin finish can be had. And using only Scotch Brite has the advantage that mistakes are easily polished out, so practice away.

DIAR · 2nd June 2006, 07:56 AM

Search for ALODINE.

http://wilsonb.wheelsup.org/alodine_parts.htm

I use eccentric sander and fine sandpaper for finishing aluminum.

Anodizing isn't expensive and it creates a very robust surfase.

22nd May 2006, 02:17 PM	#1
ashok diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: 3RS	Aluminum panel finishing methods Does anyone know how a satin finish is achieved on aluminum panels. Is it done chemically ( which one ) or by sand / glass bead blasting ? I've seen very variable results with blasting methods. A question on brush finishing.How do we get particles generated by the process from getting back on to the metal sheet and digging into the surface . Thanks. __________________ AM

25th May 2006, 09:17 AM	#5
ashok diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: 3RS	Thanks for all the replies. I did forget about the steel wool and Scotch pad methods. It's troublesome trying to clear off small surface defects first. I guess the sheet will have to be milled to take away a significant layer to get a perfect surface to work on. I've never tried anodising at home. Might be a good idea to experiment with that. Easy to get all the chemicals over here. I read about using vegetable dye's . Don't they fade with time in sunlight ? Even indirect sunlight ? Has anyone seen the Metal Plating Bible found here http://www.metalplatingbible.com/ Is it a comprehensive ,detailed , practical book ? Cheers. __________________ AM

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22nd May 2006, 02:32 PM	#3
es44 diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Fredericia, DK	I haven't ever tried, but this is a link i have saved for a loong time, if i should ever get the urge DIY "anodizing" Have a nice day

25th May 2006, 07:31 AM	#4
TwoSpoons diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2004	I use fine steel wool, followed by a quick etch in caustic soda solution.

26th May 2006, 08:41 PM	#6
dhenryp diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Mass.	Sanding is what I use. If you want a brushed look, use 60-100 grit sandpaper in a belt sander. If you don't have a belt sander, use a sanding block and only use linear back and forth motion. This will get rid of all but the deepest gouges in aluminum. It sounded way to harsh when I first heard of it but I've used it many times with uniformly good results. For a satin finish, go to finer grit; 230-320 or even higher grit. I've looked at anodizing and may still eventually try it. The thing that holds me back is the thought of having a pretty large vat of sulphuric acid (diluted, but still 50% strength) sitting in my basement. I would certainly think much harder if there were kids in the house. Denis

1st June 2006, 08:55 PM	#7
Andersonix diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Silicon Valley	Belt sanding may be too aggressive and wear down the corners. I recommend progressively using fine sand paper, then Scotch Brite, purple then green (or just worn purple). With some practice laying the Scotch Brite down on a flat surface and evenly dragging the aluminum face completely across it in one direction, a very nice satin finish can be had. And using only Scotch Brite has the advantage that mistakes are easily polished out, so practice away.

2nd June 2006, 07:56 AM	#8
DIAR diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Capital City Area	Search for ALODINE. http://wilsonb.wheelsup.org/alodine_parts.htm I use eccentric sander and fine sandpaper for finishing aluminum. Anodizing isn't expensive and it creates a very robust surfase.

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