On Tue, 21 Feb 2006 11:06:26 -0800, Andy Evans burbled:

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


Someone once told me of a way to dye aluminium, but I've never tried it. I
would love to know if anyone has tried this.

The idea is to heat caustic soda solution in an iron or steel pan up to
near boiling point then add ordinary Dylon fabric dye in your prefered
colour. Once it has disolved, add your aluminium & simmer for a while. The
caustic soda eats into the surface and allows the dye to penetrate. After
a bit of cooking, boil again in clean water to remove the caustic soda
then again in salt water to fix the dye, allow to cool & rinse well.

Now, all this sounds rather messy and quite dangerous to me - hot caustic
soda is highly corrosive. Not only that, but thin ali may disolve
completely! I suspect that the finished metal will have lost quite bit of
strength too. Of course, aluminium pans are a strict no-no!

--
Mick
(no M$ software on here... :-) )
Web: http://www.nascom.info