I'm wondering if you can take some die-cast aluminum pieces and make them look like brushed aluminum? Do you just hit them with scotchbrite pads? What about making it look like it was sand cast? I also would like to do some panels inside my truck that look like this I may make a gauge pod and switchbox with this finish, but I'm not sure how to do it... Thanks guys.
Sandblaster for sand cast look and scotchbrite for the brushed look. For a turned look like that you can use a 2" brown scotchbrite roloc but will need to use a mill or a drill press with a mill table to get a consistent look.
Coars sand for a coars finish fine sand for afine finish. I've seen some interesting finishes achieved on motorcycle cases by going over the piece with a real co**** sand and then going back over it with walnut shells just enough to knock the tops of the rough places off. As for the turned panel, 33 told you right. I like smaller swirles but, that's really a matter of personal preferance.
Wow sorry for the big pic... but I want something like this. I just have a cheap sandblaster thats a handheld that you stick a hose in a bucket.. dobut it could shoot walnut shells?
http://www2.northerntool.com/air-tools/air-needle-scalers/item-15763.htm this thing? I've never seen that before
i just use a lot of different grades of sandpaper going up to wet sanding at about 1000 . then red scotch brite in one direction for the brushed look,,
there was a guy on the hamb a while back, unfortunately, I don't remember his name, who was finishing aluminum parts to that level of luster by vibrating the parts submerged in a specific type of media. I suppose if it's a small part, you could get one of those tumblers they use for polishing br*** shells (ammunition reloading) and try different types of media like corn cobs or walnut shells. I don't think, you'd want anything too abrasive.
Yep - that's it. You can get cheap chinese junk at Harbor Freight if yer just gonna use it for this...
harbor freight has one, I have one at work it's sitting on my bench. looks to be well made,you can use dry or liquid media in it. i've even heard of people using powdered bone before.
It's called a media tumbler. Looks like above. People use them to clean all sorts of small things with all differnt types of media. Mike
Looks like a static generator Is there one thats 'oblong' that you could fit valve covers in? What about the needle scaler... does anybody have any photos of it in use? I've never seen one before.
I don't think they make them big enough for valve covers. I have seen big ones like the picture, but not for valve covers. I think for valve cover size you need to move to the blaster cabinet size. mike
The needle scaler is made for getting rid of rust on ships. The needles vibrate up and down like small jackhammers. As for the sand blast sand cast finish you will never get one as course as the finish pictured, the only way yo will get that it to cast your own stuff or a lot of work with a dremel and a dental bur!
I've seen shot blasting used on steel for cast effect, not great but better then any other type of media I've seen. I've used a needle gun and can't imagine it giving the desired finish at least without sharpening the needles. There's probably some etching technique that would be totally convincing.
I dont want it as rough as what I posted... I think sandblasting would acieve what I want, not sure about shot blasting... IDK how to do it.
I'm gunna use the same guys picture as the gas cap... I think the arm that holds the light on is exactly the finish I want.
I don't know what caused that type of finish. Real basic, though, shot blasting is done with similer equipment as doing small sandblasting jobs, i.e. in a cabinet and you use steel shot instead of sand. different size shot gives different results (that's really basic!!). Mike
needle scaler for the cast finish totally,will get the finish you want no prblem.As for th tumbler,you are not going to get the brushed finish,just an all over uniform finish,of what ever grade you like.Novaculite will get it pretty brite.Check with McMaster-Carr,they have the big tumblers and media.Or get a HF cement mixer and put your parts in a five gallon bucket,fill half way with media,put in cement mixer and turn on.will take about six to ten hours.have an excuse ready for the police though,it will make a alot of noise
Any idea how Lil' John ****era did the suspencion pieces on his polished aluminum and white car? Any one got a pic?
How about etching the part you want rough? Either mask or re-polish the parts you want "finished" Pete
The Jalopy Journal
