Andy Evans wrote:
Like may people I use aluminium in equipment cases - in my case for
top plates for valve preamps and amps. I use 4mm alu, which Fays
Metals in Acton London supply and cut to size. It's not great looking
in its raw state, but all my DIY attempts with solvent cleaners, wet
and dry paper etc are even worse. How do they get that 'brushed
aluminium' effect? Has anybody come across a successful method of
finishing surfaces of alu? I'd need details - grade of sandpaper,
type of tool used - orbital sander, belt sander, hand finishing etc.
It would be a real help to fix this situation without having to
resort to anodising. On the other hand, maybe anodising is the way
out. Any views and experiences? Andy

I would recommend anodising, or some kind of protective finish. Bare ally
will go dull as it tarnishes, and it'll never really be 'clean' (you can sit
with a mountain of rags and a river of IPA, trying to clean ally, but you'll
still be 'cleaning' it when the rags and river have gone). I gather
anodising is qute cheap for sensible sized bits, so I guess it's worth
looking into.

For finish, I get quite good results from a dry, somewhat worn, foam sanding
block - the el-cheapo ones that are a quid for ten at Sunday markets. I
don't know what grade a worn block equates to, but I'd guess 300 grit is
about right. I get a pretty fine brushed finish with that.


--
Wally
www.wally.myby.co.uk
http://iott.melodolic.com