No cost, no registration, no passwords -- just aloha, fun & authoritative answers
(as an eBay Partner & Amazon Affiliate we earn from qualifying purchases)

Where the
world gathers for metal finishing
Q&As since 1989

-----

Aluminium finishing for brightness

Hi ,

Need advice on how to get a dull finish aluminum handle ("U"-shape) to be shiny like stainless steel .

What sort of process and plating must it go through .

ALU Material use is 5052H 34

Thank you

Aw Cheng Hock
Purchaser - Singapore
November 18, 2010

Hi, Aw.

For something to be bright it must be smooth and specular and must not have an opaque film over it. That means you must polish it either mechanically, chemically, or electrochemically (or a combination of these) to get it smooth. Then you must apply a thin and stable anodization layer or clearcoat. There are dyes that you can apply after anodizing that will get the tone closer to that of stainless steel. Good luck.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
November 18, 2010

(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: