[TheForge] finishing aluminum

[RIES NIEMI]

on 9/21/03 11:16 AM, gladish at gladish@cnw.com wrote:

> I've just finished a batch of projects made of square aluminum tube.
> So, never having worked much with aluminum, I'm wondering how to have it
> looking really nice when I deliver it- am trying a stainless wire brush- is
> that the best way?
> Any suggestions welcome-
> Thanks!
> Andy G.


Andy- Is this for interior use, or exterior?

Outside, aluminum will oxidize, getting a whitish powdery finish if you dont
coat it in some way. No matter what finish you start out with, after a few
months it will be grayish.

Commecially they usually clear anodize aluminum, after they get it looking
good first.. But the closest anodizer is at least everett, probably south
seattle. Havent had any anodizing done in many years, so I am not up to
speed.
One great thing about aluminum is that it is SOFT- so unless you have
already coarsened up the finish, you can clean it up with steel wool quite
nicely. This will take off the blue writing they put on it at the mill, and
take minor scratches out. Then I usually hit it with a quick clear coat of
spray paint- krylon if it is going indoors, rustoleum for outside. This is
not as good as say- clear powdercoat- (there are now two powdercoaters in
Bellingham, one in Arlington, and several in Everett)
Or real clear coating like catalysed polyurethane, or clear anodizing.
But it will work, and it is quick and cheap.
Ries