Brushed aluminum, how to get it right?
#1
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Car: 87' IROC
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Brushed aluminum, how to get it right?
Guys, I have acquired a set of wheels with a brushed center. And I think it is stunning. Now I have started looking at everything that I can brush, lol. Some things are easy, but others would be very challenging.
My next target is my intake plenum, TPI. It is currently polished but I am tired of keeping up with it. The plan is to brush it and get it clear powder coated. The flat parts are pretty easy. Basically need to make a simple jig to get the sand paper to travel in a straight line. The problem areas that I can see would be the transitions from one flat section to another. Anyone have any good tips or tricks?
Here is my plenum now:
![](http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4104/5175768063_7eaab321ac_b.jpg)
And my first attempt at brushing:
![](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7110/7627522390_b4ea473c0f_b.jpg)
![](http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8013/7627521528_c3ff037dac_b.jpg)
And finally the finish on the wheels I am trying to mimic. The wheels have a clear gloss powder coat.
My next target is my intake plenum, TPI. It is currently polished but I am tired of keeping up with it. The plan is to brush it and get it clear powder coated. The flat parts are pretty easy. Basically need to make a simple jig to get the sand paper to travel in a straight line. The problem areas that I can see would be the transitions from one flat section to another. Anyone have any good tips or tricks?
Here is my plenum now:
![](http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4104/5175768063_7eaab321ac_b.jpg)
And my first attempt at brushing:
![](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7110/7627522390_b4ea473c0f_b.jpg)
![](http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8013/7627521528_c3ff037dac_b.jpg)
And finally the finish on the wheels I am trying to mimic. The wheels have a clear gloss powder coat.
![](http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6059/6852126978_33cf67d81c_b.jpg)
#2
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Car: 91 Z28, 87 SC, 90 IROC, 92 RS
Engine: LS1, 305 TPI, L98, NADA
Transmission: T56, 700r4's, and NADA
Axle/Gears: 3.89, 3.42, 3.23, NADA
Re: Brushed aluminum, how to get it right?
From what I have seen on other boards using fine scotch bright pads and WD40 as a lubricant on the metal will produce a nice brushed finish. I have not idea on what to use to keep the "stokes" uniform... Patience?! It will look really nice when your done. make sure to post some more pics.
Is the one piece you have done your tie rod adjuster sleeves?
Is the one piece you have done your tie rod adjuster sleeves?
#3
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Car: 87' IROC
Engine: L98
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Re: Brushed aluminum, how to get it right?
From what I have seen on other boards using fine scotch bright pads and WD40 as a lubricant on the metal will produce a nice brushed finish. I have not idea on what to use to keep the "stokes" uniform... Patience?! It will look really nice when your done. make sure to post some more pics.
Is the one piece you have done your tie rod adjuster sleeves?
Is the one piece you have done your tie rod adjuster sleeves?
I think you could create a small jig to keep the strokes long and straight.
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Re: Brushed aluminum, how to get it right?
Well here goes, decided to give it a shot. I attached the sandpaper to a 1x4 and went as straight as possible without a jig. The transitions from one face to another were actually not bad at all, just seemed to work themselves out. Still a lot of work to do, but I'm happy with the progress so far.
![](http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8001/7635521276_d57f15f6d4_h.jpg)
![](http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8001/7635521276_d57f15f6d4_h.jpg)
![](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7127/7635521680_f521099442_h.jpg)
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Car: 91 Z28, 87 SC, 90 IROC, 92 RS
Engine: LS1, 305 TPI, L98, NADA
Transmission: T56, 700r4's, and NADA
Axle/Gears: 3.89, 3.42, 3.23, NADA
Re: Brushed aluminum, how to get it right?
That looks really nice man! Are you gonna do anything with the recesses?
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Re: Brushed aluminum, how to get it right?
I will also brush my cast aluminum valve covers to match and have them anodized.
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Car: 91 Z28, 87 SC, 90 IROC, 92 RS
Engine: LS1, 305 TPI, L98, NADA
Transmission: T56, 700r4's, and NADA
Axle/Gears: 3.89, 3.42, 3.23, NADA
Re: Brushed aluminum, how to get it right?
Why anodize? Why not just clear coat with wheel paint? Eastwood's Diamond clear? Anodizing isn't a cheap process, and from the parts I have anodized black they seem to show any type of oil (even from skin). Not sure how that works with the clear anodize. Being able to clean and polish, the parts after installation would MIGHT be easier?
Are you gonna do everything you can brushed under the hood? Or is there a contrast theme. Don't your wheels have the polished lips?
Are you gonna do everything you can brushed under the hood? Or is there a contrast theme. Don't your wheels have the polished lips?
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Re: Brushed aluminum, how to get it right?
Why anodize? Why not just clear coat with wheel paint? Eastwood's Diamond clear? Anodizing isn't a cheap process, and from the parts I have anodized black they seem to show any type of oil (even from skin). Not sure how that works with the clear anodize. Being able to clean and polish, the parts after installation would MIGHT be easier?
Are you gonna do everything you can brushed under the hood? Or is there a contrast theme. Don't your wheels have the polished lips?
Are you gonna do everything you can brushed under the hood? Or is there a contrast theme. Don't your wheels have the polished lips?
![](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7187/6924947713_2fa6e26aef_o.jpg)
I have lots of anodized stuff and the only piece i have noticed that is hard to keep clean was a switch plate I had made from anodized plate. Honestly I really question whether that plate was anodized as it looked completely different than any other anodized part I have. Seemed a lot more like a coating. So anyway we'll see I can always powder over the anodize. The anodize should do a really good job of sealing the metal.
I have a local anodizer that is pretty inexpensive. Certainly no more than my local powder place.
Yes my wheels have polished lips.
To be honest, I like the way my engine bay looks now. I guess I am just ready to try something new.
![](http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5134/5464229686_7612abf5b6_b.jpg)
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Car: 91 Z28, 87 SC, 90 IROC, 92 RS
Engine: LS1, 305 TPI, L98, NADA
Transmission: T56, 700r4's, and NADA
Axle/Gears: 3.89, 3.42, 3.23, NADA
Re: Brushed aluminum, how to get it right?
Your engine bay looks great! I was just wondering if there was something I was missing on my "knowledge" of anodizing. I agree with clear powder... No way! That stuff is way too thick, and doesn't always lay down even. Keep post more pics of your progress. I'm very interested. I had thought about black and brushed look underhood for mine at one point.
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Re: Brushed aluminum, how to get it right?
Got some more work done. Did my first valve cover and a few other odds and ends. Excuse the smudge on the corner of the valve cover, its just a finger print. Sometimes the camera is more detailed than the eye ball. ![Smilie](https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
![](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7260/7672096676_f9d6e74eca_h.jpg)
![](http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8283/7672095940_0f4821ea6a_h.jpg)
![](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7131/7672095414_eb77e99ee4_h.jpg)
![](http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8434/7672094794_769ab0855a_h.jpg)
![Smilie](https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
![](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7260/7672096676_f9d6e74eca_h.jpg)
![](http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8283/7672095940_0f4821ea6a_h.jpg)
![](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7131/7672095414_eb77e99ee4_h.jpg)
![](http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8434/7672094794_769ab0855a_h.jpg)
![](http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8154/7672094352_702727e123_h.jpg)
#13
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Car: 91 Z28, 87 SC, 90 IROC, 92 RS
Engine: LS1, 305 TPI, L98, NADA
Transmission: T56, 700r4's, and NADA
Axle/Gears: 3.89, 3.42, 3.23, NADA
Re: Brushed aluminum, how to get it right?
You need to change the name of the tread to Brushed aluminum... I got it right!
Those look really nice. I have never liked those vc's but those look great!
Those look really nice. I have never liked those vc's but those look great!
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Re: Brushed aluminum, how to get it right?
Yes please! lol
I have to agree, looks pretty darn good. I'd like to do the same on my fab'd alum valve covers. I have done it with 320 on my battery hold downs, but when I clear over them a lot of the brush seems to get filled.
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Re: Brushed aluminum, how to get it right?
First of all the valve covers were already polished. Which made it easier b/c i didn't have to do a lot of prep sanding. All i did was brush over the polished finish with a "coarse" sanding pad/sponge from ACE Hardware. Just need to make sure you keep the pad in motion to avoid start and stop marks. I started and stopped on the side facing the firewall so any start and stop marks would not been seen. But honestly even the firewall side looks pretty darn good.
It would be awesome if you could find a way to spin the valve cover slowly which really would provide a perfect result. I don't have a tool that spins that slowly.
It would be awesome if you could find a way to spin the valve cover slowly which really would provide a perfect result. I don't have a tool that spins that slowly.
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Re: Brushed aluminum, how to get it right?
So, where do I send my parts to so they can look that good? Really love that look it's great.
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Re: Brushed aluminum, how to get it right?
First of all the valve covers were already polished. Which made it easier b/c i didn't have to do a lot of prep sanding. All i did was brush over the polished finish with a "coarse" sanding pad/sponge from ACE Hardware. Just need to make sure you keep the pad in motion to avoid start and stop marks. I started and stopped on the side facing the firewall so any start and stop marks would not been seen. But honestly even the firewall side looks pretty darn good.
It would be awesome if you could find a way to spin the valve cover slowly which really would provide a perfect result. I don't have a tool that spins that slowly.
It would be awesome if you could find a way to spin the valve cover slowly which really would provide a perfect result. I don't have a tool that spins that slowly.
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Re: Brushed aluminum, how to get it right?
Im loving the brushed look... Good Work!
Did you choose to do straight brushed look verse circular brushed look do to shape and difficulty?
Did you choose to do straight brushed look verse circular brushed look do to shape and difficulty?
#22
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Re: Brushed aluminum, how to get it right?
IMO circular brushing looks good on circular parts and straight brushing looks good on straight parts. That is why I did it that way.
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Re: Brushed aluminum, how to get it right?
yea you got a point was searching google images just now looks more like fish scales straight brushing lookes alot better more industrial look
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