For a small surface (2" x 2") area course roughening of aluminum.
The steel brush drill attachment I'm using requires pressing hard to produce significant scratch marks. Is there a particular type of steel brush that will easily roughen aluminum?
Thanks.
Try coarse 40-grit sandpaper and a little hand-held oscillating sander.
Tove
Usually the 'brushed aluminum' finish is imparted with a wide belt sander. At least thats how the panel finishing firm I used to deal with did it.
For something the size you want to do I'd try a hand belt sander, if you don't have a bench type machine wide enough.
Regards Paul
Don't use a steel brush. The steel bristles will leave small amounts of iron in the aluminum and corrosion will set in shortly. Iron and aluminum don't get along well at all. Some form of grit (not emery; it contains iron in its makeup) is better. Aluminum oxide is best, I'd think.
Dan
Does that corrosion require interaction with the environment? I have read something like that here before about steel on aluminum corrosion, and mentioned it to a friend who then posed that question. Thanks.
Nyet!
What you want is a "scotchbrite" type wheel! Other companies make similar stuff... it is an abrasive imbedded synthetic wheel. They also make it in pads that are similar to what you buy in the store to clean pots (they're "plastic"??) but much more abrasive and intended for metal work. You want one that is fairly abrasive to get good "brush marks"
The alternative is an aluminum oxide paper, about 120 grit and some oil, and smooth hand action - that's ok for doing just a little bit. clean the oil off when ur done. If ur not finishing it with a clear coat or anodize, you might want to use a heavier grit and then etch it slightly with NaOH (lye) or "oven cleaner" which will impart a slightly duller surface, but more immune to finger prints making permanent marks on it...
You do NOT want a hand held belt sander (they gouge the work).
The way it is done in production is either the "scotchbrite" stuff or a "Stroke Sander" rig... that one uses a belt...
Look at McMaster Carr online catalog, they show this stuff...
_-_-bear
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