Mr. Rogers: "Look for the Helpers. You will always find people who are helping."
As an Amazon Associate & eBay Partner: we earn from qualifying purchases

finishing.com -- The Home Page of the Finishing Industry

-----

metallized Finish on Aluminum

I have designed and prototyped an aluminum die cast front panel for a product we are developing. The first parts have been produced through a rubber plaster mold process. Our marketing group would like to retain the "ruggedness" and "sturdiness" of the metal and would like a brushed or matte appearance like that seen on stereo equipment. I have tried metal looking powder coats but they do not look natural and plating is expensive and does not provide the desired finish. Any suggestions?

Marc DeFrancesco
- Petaluma, California, USA
2003

Wide Belt Sander

on Amazon

(affil link)

2003

The brushed appearance you refer to is usually not obtained from powder coating or plating but from applying a sandpaper belt against the parts on a machine sometimes called a "Timesaver". Whether it will produce a scratch finish on a diecasting that is close enough to what you see on rolled and extruded aluminum is a question that experiment will resolve.

However, there is an issue "between the lines" of your inquiry because you seem to imply that no corrosion proofing surface treatment will be conducted--and that doesn't sound completely reasonable to me.

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: