The authoritative public forum
  for Metal Finishing since 1989
  

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Brushing aluminum to obtain grain

Hi, my name is Nick and we are presently using a belt sander for wood to grind the aluminum. The problem we have is that our profiled part has different steps. We have no problem with the flat surfaces but we have an angled surface that makes it a problem. The challenge is to follow the part shape (rectangle with rounded corners) and hit all the surfaces to make a continuous brushed look. I'd like more info on wet brushing and some electrochemical use for this application.
We are out of ideas...we've tried grinding wheels, brushes, sanding etc. Any great solution would be famous !

Thanks in advance for your help,

Nicolas Lacoursiere
Specialty window products - Canada
2006

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Have you tried non-woven belts or wheels?

AF Kenton
retired business owner - Hatboro, Pennsylvania
2006

Is your part die cast? Is the desired grain not very fine? If this is the case, it may be simpler to grain the mold's inside surfaces.

Guillermo Marrufo
Monterrey, NL, Mexico
2006