Author Topic: Aluminium finish  (Read 3685 times)

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Offline sandycrack

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Aluminium finish
« on: January 01, 2015, 05:10:51 PM »
Curious how you guys put bare finish on your panels.  I will not powder coat for a while and where I worked on my panels they look like crap.  I am wanting to put a brushed or mill finish on them and would appreciate any input you may have.
You smell that?

Offline fabr

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Re: Aluminium finish
« Reply #1 on: January 01, 2015, 06:22:05 PM »
I just DA them with 220.
"There can be no divided allegiance here.  Any man who says he is an American,
but something else also, isn't an American at all.  We have room for but one
flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is
the English language... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a
loyalty to the American people."
Theodore Roosevelt 1907

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 " You have all the right in the world to believe any damn thing you'd like, but you don't have the right to demand that I agree with your fantasy"

Offline Carlriddle

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Re: Aluminium finish
« Reply #2 on: January 02, 2015, 05:50:53 AM »
I only scuffed parts of mine, randomly using a flap sand wheel in my grinder.  Then painted with translucent paint, so scuffs can be seen thru.  I believe Lance and others did the circles scuffs with scotchbrite wheels in a drill press.  Sandblasting (fine) will give a nice even matt finish too.  Or just let nature do it for you.
You can keep your CHANGE, I'd like to keep my DOLLAR.

Offline sandycrack

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Re: Aluminium finish
« Reply #3 on: January 02, 2015, 08:42:37 AM »
I tried a belt sander and had limited success.  Looked better than all the scuff marks from fab.  Will try the DA tonight.  Thanks for the replies.
You smell that?

Offline fabr

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Re: Aluminium finish
« Reply #4 on: January 02, 2015, 08:45:54 AM »
Wear a mask when DAing it. You can go as fine or coarse as you wish but 220 is a good starting point. You will see all blemishes disappear. I have gone all the way up to 1000 grit(220,320,500,1000) before polishing to a mirror finish. It's all in what you desire.
"There can be no divided allegiance here.  Any man who says he is an American,
but something else also, isn't an American at all.  We have room for but one
flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is
the English language... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a
loyalty to the American people."
Theodore Roosevelt 1907

-----------------------------------------------------------
 " You have all the right in the world to believe any damn thing you'd like, but you don't have the right to demand that I agree with your fantasy"

Offline Lance-W

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Re: Aluminium finish
« Reply #5 on: January 02, 2015, 08:58:19 AM »
This works pretty good and it's simple to do.  You don't need the arm to hold the drill press if your panels aren't that big.  Just a blue 2" scotch brite on a Roloc spindle.  At first I was very careful on the spacing between the swirls but honestly it doesn't really show that much if your a bit off.





Offline WelderPat

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Re: Aluminium finish
« Reply #6 on: January 02, 2015, 01:27:58 PM »
This works pretty good and it's simple to do.  You don't need the arm to hold the drill press if your panels aren't that big.  Just a blue 2" scotch brite on a Roloc spindle.  At first I was very careful on the spacing between the swirls but honestly it doesn't really show that much if your a bit off.



 That whole buggy looks really good.

There is always free cheese in a mouse trap.

Offline Carlriddle

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Re: Aluminium finish
« Reply #7 on: January 02, 2015, 01:54:03 PM »
Cool drill press mod Lance.
You can keep your CHANGE, I'd like to keep my DOLLAR.

Offline fabr

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Re: Aluminium finish
« Reply #8 on: January 02, 2015, 03:00:32 PM »
^^^^^^^^^^^^!!
"There can be no divided allegiance here.  Any man who says he is an American,
but something else also, isn't an American at all.  We have room for but one
flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is
the English language... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a
loyalty to the American people."
Theodore Roosevelt 1907

-----------------------------------------------------------
 " You have all the right in the world to believe any damn thing you'd like, but you don't have the right to demand that I agree with your fantasy"

Offline dsrace

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Re: Aluminium finish
« Reply #9 on: January 02, 2015, 03:20:44 PM »
+1 I like the pattern
Don't never argue with an Idiot!
Because he will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience

Offline Wyattboche

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Re: Aluminium finish
« Reply #10 on: January 04, 2015, 12:48:28 PM »
Can u use a hand drill to get the same results? Looking to do 4'x8' sheets. Time consuming as all get out.

Offline Carlriddle

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Re: Aluminium finish
« Reply #11 on: January 05, 2015, 07:31:40 AM »
Can u use a hand drill to get the same results? Looking to do 4'x8' sheets. Time consuming as all get out.

The circle pattern like Lance did?  I'd say no way to keep pattern looking half way decent.  Hand drill would walk all over the place.  Lots of ways to put a "treatment" on alum, many can be done with hand drill.
You can keep your CHANGE, I'd like to keep my DOLLAR.

Offline fabr

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Re: Aluminium finish
« Reply #12 on: January 05, 2015, 07:41:35 AM »
Can u use a hand drill to get the same results? Looking to do 4'x8' sheets. Time consuming as all get out.
Take a piece of 1x4 ,drill holes with desired spacing to make a template.Clamp across sheet. Swirl away.
"There can be no divided allegiance here.  Any man who says he is an American,
but something else also, isn't an American at all.  We have room for but one
flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is
the English language... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a
loyalty to the American people."
Theodore Roosevelt 1907

-----------------------------------------------------------
 " You have all the right in the world to believe any damn thing you'd like, but you don't have the right to demand that I agree with your fantasy"

 

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