How do I finish my metal brushing exercises

What should I do after I brushed the metal? - I am looking to create attractive finishes on aluminum sheets, so I have experimented with different attachments on a drill and I got an inexpensive grinding tool (rotating) and a disk for it. This tool creates a nice, shimmering result in that it "bites" in very aggressively. The surface is coarse to the touch.

With the drill I have used a fairly large sanding/sawing disk (inexpensive) and a smallish, metal brush. The metal brush creates a nice, soft circular pattern. - My question is - what should I do to the surface after I have created these different and attractive looking surfaces...? Should I "buff" them and if so, what does that mean, exactly.... Very grateful for any information on this topic.

Gunnar Kullenberg
- Los Angeles, California

Polishing is the same general idea as grinding but with a smaller, less aggressive media. Buffing is the same general idea as polishing but with a smaller, less aggressive media. In other words you are accomplishing smoothing by using a smaller and smaller scratching motion.

Aluminum will quickly oxidize and dull. Assuming that you are not in a posion to anodize these items, you'll need to lacquer them to keep them shiny.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey

(No "dead threads" here! If this page isn't currently on the Hotline your Q, A, or Comment will restore it)

Q, A, or Comment on THIS thread -or- Start a NEW Thread

Disclaimer: It's not possible to fully diagnose a finishing problem or the hazards of an operation via these pages. All information presented is for general reference and does not represent a professional opinion nor the policy of an author's employer. The internet is largely anonymous & unvetted; some names may be fictitious and some recommendations might be harmful.

If you are seeking a product or service related to metal finishing, please check these Directories: