Thread: Brushed Aluminum Look

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Quick question. I'm in the process of putting in an aluminum firewall on my 30-A, and I would like to get that brushed effect you see on a number of rods. So, I was wondering if any of you guys have done this before? As always I appreciatre the help.

Jeri

I use wet sanding and water to get the brushed look. Start smoothing the panel with some 80 grit on a DA, then move on to wet sanding with a sanding block and 220, 400, and progressively finer grit til you get the finish you want. The wet sanding has to be done in one direction to obtain a smooth and even brushed aluminum appearance. Time consuming, but worth it if that's the look you want!

You can buy grained/brushed aluminum sheet. It comes with PVC stuck on the grained side. Do the work that you want being a carefull as possible then re-grain with scotch brite.

You can check with a precision sheet metal shop in your area and see if they can get it for you. They might even have some in house. We usually have a few sheets of .062 thick grained alum in our shop. It really depends on the thickness that you want.

Edit:

From your location, I would try Lusk, or Reliance Sheet and Strip. Let me know about what size you are looking for and I can see what we have in house. If you want to go the grain it yourself like Dave mentioned I am sure that we have some standard non-grained material in the shop. BTW, the shop that I work at is in Livermore. Not to far from you.

Curious.What you guys use as a finish coat??.

yep we did it for GM concept show car rims abit of work. never use a DA that will put what look like 666666 then you spend alot of time working them out do all your work in a strait line that the hard part getting your sanding so there is no over lap were you may arc your arm from sanding long panle. flat fire wall just buy a sheet of ss or alum thats has a finsh on it like said

Just to add, on something as large as a firewall, to avoid the arc lines Pat mentioned use a guide bar............a pipe, board, whatever that you can clamp across. Make your pass with the abrasive, then move it down for the next pass, repeat.

Originally Posted by Bob Parmenter

Just to add, on something as large as a firewall, to avoid the arc lines Pat mentioned use a guide bar............a pipe, board, whatever that you can clamp across. Make your pass with the abrasive, then move it down for the next pass, repeat.

yep we used alot of masking tap but that was on the rims . so a guid rail will help yard stick or some thing like that. not to mark up your bush marks

Jeri
See if you can find a machine or sheet metal shop that has a Timesaver sanding machine .
One pass through in about a minute will save you hours of work .

.

My favorite is with scotchbrite. I clean the panel and spray some light oil on it and then give it a good brushing with scotchbrite - like with the sander you have to make full passes across the panel and i pick the direction so that it accents the beadrolling etc.
I then clean with carb cleaner and rag, reoil and light burnish. Thta panel will have a soft glow that you can maintain for years, just a touch of oil and scotchbrite makes it look nice and fresh.

for a 30 model a you should do the engine turned process------------

Jeri,

We have wet & dry power grainers and also stroke grainers at the shop along with polishing equipment. I can set you up to talk to the operations manager if you want.

You could have it bead blasted with aluminum oxide. Will give it that flat finish.

I saw on one of the TV car shows once where they used product Shark Skin to keep metal from turning Gary.

for a 30 model a you should do the engine turned process------------

I agree with Jerry engine turned would look best , use about 2" circles !

Originally Posted by hawk56

I agree with Jerry engine turned would look best , use about 2" circles !

Not a model A, but here is an example of an engine turned firewall on my 32 coupe.
I bought a 2' X 3' sheet from FPM metals already turned with 1 1/2" circles and cut it to fit my firewall. Didn't cost all that much either.

Mick