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Author Topic: Best way to make aluminium look good?  (Read 2088 times)

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Offline Punkur67

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Best way to make aluminium look good?
« on: June 25, 2011, 03:15:01 PM »
I had to resurface some fabricated aluminium valve covers and after they were completed there were a couple of scratches on them (too much to blend in). I figured the old scotch brite would give a nice finish all over, but I am not happy with the final finish. I DO NOT want to polish them as I am not too into the shinny look. Can I media blast them to give them a nice finish? Or are there other options?
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Offline fabr

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Re: Best way to make aluminium look good?
« Reply #1 on: June 25, 2011, 03:40:35 PM »
Have them glass bead blasted and then clear anodize. Makes a nice satin finish.
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Offline fastcorvairs

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Re: Best way to make aluminium look good?
« Reply #2 on: June 26, 2011, 05:38:01 AM »
Quote from: Punkur67 on June 25, 2011, 03:15:01 PM
I had to resurface some fabricated aluminium valve covers and after they were completed there were a couple of scratches on them (too much to blend in). I figured the old scotch brite would give a nice finish all over, but I am not happy with the final finish. I DO NOT want to polish them as I am not too into the shinny look. Can I media blast them to give them a nice finish? Or are there other options?

Find a company in your area that specializes in custom aluminum horse trailers.  They use a special wash that will brighten aluminum but it dose not have the look of being polished.  It is sprayed on and washed off within a certain time frame.
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Offline Carlriddle

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Re: Best way to make aluminium look good?
« Reply #3 on: June 26, 2011, 05:46:55 AM »
You'll also find that wash at a truckstop. They wash those big rigs with it, a light acid. I used fine sandblast sand -44 to blast. Move quick. Nice finish.
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Baja Rick

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Re: Best way to make aluminium look good?
« Reply #4 on: June 26, 2011, 01:03:19 PM »
 I think it's called Zepalum, or something like that. made by Zep.
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Offline Punkur67

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Re: Best way to make aluminium look good?
« Reply #5 on: June 27, 2011, 09:55:36 AM »
If I use the Zep-a lume should I sand blast first?
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Offline fabr

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Re: Best way to make aluminium look good?
« Reply #6 on: June 27, 2011, 10:07:05 AM »
Zep is just an oxidation remover.
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"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"

Baja Rick

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Re: Best way to make aluminium look good?
« Reply #7 on: June 27, 2011, 01:12:59 PM »
Quote from: Punkur67 on June 27, 2011, 09:55:36 AM
If I use the Zep-a lume should I sand blast first?

 If you want the scratches gone, then yes.  Best bet and maybe cheepest is like Master said, bead blast then clear.
I don't know what kind of quantities Zep sells the stuff in but I've always seen it in 55 gallon drums.
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Offline Punkur67

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Re: Best way to make aluminium look good?
« Reply #8 on: June 27, 2011, 08:39:10 PM »
I just decided to paint them with hi temp flat aluminium paint for now. I want to get the motor running again.
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