[TheForge] Aluminium

[Andrew Vida]

Mark A. Pesetsky wrote:
> I am building a vintage CANNONDALE bike w/the newest latest in components.
 > Stripped the paint and going to do a 600 grit finish. Don't want it 
shiny,
 > want it w/that hand sanded matte look...
> 

	Then bead blast it.  That will provide a very nice matte finish.  You 
could then have the frame anodized, which will eliminate corrosion 
concerns.  You can have it anodized in all manner of cool colors, too. :)

	Be careful with heat.  You don't want to draw the temper, especially in 
a critically stressed area such as the head tube.  I was once on a 
double metric (130 miler) through Marin county and some poor slob had 
their head tube leave the scene and they did a face-plant into the side 
of the mountain.  Very nasty result, I might add.  Never found out if 
they lived or died - it was THAT bad.  Be careful.