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Brush pattern on aluminum

How do the hot rod buliders get that cresent brush pattern on aluminum instrument panels? The patten looks almost jewel like when the sun hits it. Realizing of course that they use a mill or fixture to index the pattern. What material/tool do they use to get that little cresent shape?

Ron Smith
- Los Angeles, California

The pattern you describe is called a "machine turned surface". It is usually applied with a machine equipped with an abrasive brush or something similar. The abrasive head is indexed to provide a precise pattern. A similar effect is possible using a brush mounted in a drill press, and moved manually. A satisfactory finish depends on how well one locates each move. Experiment on some scrap metal first....

George Brackett III
- Utica, New York

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