aluminum finishng or coatings

[triump]

is there a way to finish aluminum at home. After sanding aluminum even touching it leaves prints. is there a way to anodize it at home.

Thanks

[rhino]

i cant remember the site address, but you can annodise the aluminium in a simple fish tank, but you need to take the fish out first LOL! you should be able to fingd something in a google search

[James Marshall]

http://www.caswellplating.com/

Try these guys out. Plenty of options, polishing, powder coat, plating, etc.

Also look for Mirage Polish and Prisim Polish, it is pretty cool stuff. Simply amazing.

http://www.mppros.com/polish02.htm

[SMW Precision]

Originally Posted by triump is there a way to finish aluminum at home. After sanding aluminum even touching it leaves prints. is there a way to anodize it at home. Thanks

Yes, though it is a fairly major setup and far from a one step process. With about 6 steps to go through in anodizing process. My cost to do a 5 gal Stage 2 anodizing setup was about $500 for 1 color.

Ken

[SuperChuck]

I realize that anodizing is the typical way to go, but with all the new epoxy style coatings nowadays, there may be some reasonable alternatives. Especially with fewer steps or hassles than anodizing yourself.

I know in the gunsmithing areas, some very nice coatings are being developped and distributed. One I read bout recently was at http://www.lauerweaponry.com/ they have multiple colors, and even clear coats and candies that are very resistant to chemical attack and abrasion.

The product is called DURACOAT and its not too terribly unreasonable in larger volumes. If I remember correctly $10 worth does 2-4 guns. It cures hard in 1-2 hours at 110 degrees and 24 hours at room temp. Midway USA also carries it and has several colors, but nnot the selection at the home site.

A nice shiny aluminim with a candy translucent coating approximates anodizing while a clear over it would preserve the appearance of the as-machined part.

Something to think about.

SC

[ViperTX]

I think that powder coating would be preferable.

[mkoelzer]

try this
http://www.sanchem.com/safegard_cc_seals.html