No passwords, no registration, no paywalls, no popups, no AI

As an Amazon Associate & eBay Partner we earn from affil links

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

Search our quarter-million Q&As

Home of the finishing HOTLINE since 1989

-----

Removing pits when buffing aluminum castings

2003

We are buffing aluminum castings and creating pits in the material. We first sand with an abrasive belt to @240 grit, followed with a cutting compound on blue treat airway buffs ⇦ on eBay or Amazon [affil link] .

The last step is with a coloring compound and stiff white airway buffs. We seem to be creating pits that were not there after the belting operation.

The final finish does not have to be of very high luster, but should not have these pits. What could we be doing wrong?

Ken Cramer
metal finishing - Sacramento, California, USA

Sounds as if you are doing OK as is. I think you should check your surface finish porosity after your first step by cleaning the part to see if the problem is the casting. Try ultrasonic cleaning and then look under magnification. Belt systems have a tendency to push debris/materials into porosity rather than remove them.

AF Kenton
retired business owner - Hatboro, Pennsylvania
2003

Sorry! Finishing.com is temporarily Read-Only.
Ted Mooney is retiring but I have several offers to take it over.
We're working hard to make sure we find it the best new home.

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: