Brushed Aluminum Effect

[@cslloyd1]

checked out a few other videos on the same subject and this seems to get the best results

[@NotesAndVolts]

Thank you!

[@simonradowitzky4837]

I couldn't tell you how many times I have thought how could I solve this. Looking forward to build my diy eurorack modules now. Thanks!!

[@NotesAndVolts]

Great! Good luck with your build :)

[@AnubisTH]

I've done some similar work and sprayed it with a clear satin coat to give it a stainless steel look.

[@NotesAndVolts]

Cool! Thanks for the input Anubis :)

[@ridered7262]

How has the clear held up since you did it? I'm wanting to do this for some dashboard parts on my boat and wondered if I should spray them with clear. Thank you

[@TheSarcasticEngineer]

Yes, I've heard Ally is a bugger for peel/flake unless you use a self etching primer, how did clear coat stand the test of time?

[@Nopp3]

as a eurorack guy, i really needed to know this. thanks.

[@NotesAndVolts]

Thanks Borgar!

[@lightmeupsigns5363]

This is the best result Ive seen good advice only brushing in one direction

[@NotesAndVolts]

Hi brillesdosh. I use this as the final finish on the bare metal. Anodizing is a completely different finishing technique and requires different preparation. Keep in mind that brushing is purely a cosmetic finish and will not add any extra protection to the metal. It just makes it look nicer.

[@TroubledCarOwner]

Thanks for this. Thinking of doing this with copper.

[@NotesAndVolts]

Thanks Anif! Good luck with your project.

[@Greebstreebling]

this is really good - and low environmental impact too. Thanks for sharing.

[@NotesAndVolts]

Hi Mason. It should work on any soft metal. Just remember, It's always a good idea to try any finishing technique on a test piece before your final project. Good luck!

[@PJ-ee5mc]

Great video. Short, concise, solid info that yeild a predictable outcome. Thank you!

[@NotesAndVolts]

Glad it was helpful!

[@rdough_94]

You can sand and polish as long as you use fine grit papers like 600 is a good one for a nice finish. However the finer and finer grit the smoother the finish

[@arachnenet2244]

Excellent guide! I'm going to have to figure out how to get this consistent with a jogged/bent part but I'm thinking of using a sanding sponge.

[@NotesAndVolts]

Glad it was helpful!

[@michaelpiotrowicz6100]

Thanks for this, I would not have started so coarse or worried about being so straight. Will follow your guide, should go fast :)

[@xdavis18]

Hey man, I laughed so hard ! It's like you were sitting next to me as I failed with the steel wool. Many thanks for the tutorial. My aluminum bracket turned out exactly as I imagined. Thanks again !!😂

[@benmeadors6799]

Great technique! I wonder if you could do this with some of those sanding sponges. It may be harder to get an even finish with a sponge though.

[@NotesAndVolts]

Hi John. Haven't tried on cast aluminum but if you can find something to scratch it, this technique should work.

[@633r]

Awesome tutorials wish i had known this for varsity projects

[@NotesAndVolts]

Thanks 633r!

[@633r]

cool :)

[@danielbeetsma6118]

Very nice, thanks for uploading.

[@NotesAndVolts]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@ibleed1]

Nice tip. Thanks.

[@ridered7262]

Very nice, I want to do this on parts I'm making for parts on my boat. I shouldn't need to spray clear on anything right?

[@Enigma758]

What do you think about using WD40 as a lubricant during the scotch brite pass?

[@TNVGAMING]

I'm stripping paint off of aluminum. the aluminum isnt scratched at all, do I still need the 220 Grit sandpaper? Or do I skip right to the Scotch-Brite?

[@dennisjump8655]

Do you recommend a clear coat afterwards?

[@honesteagle98]

Awesome! Time to turn ideas into projects! Thanks

[@iH85CH001]

How would I do this with a rounded piece? Imagine teardrop shape sort of think when you look from the side...

[@zv3000]

Crazy (possibly dangerous) idea could you achieve the same effect by running the aluminum through a drum sander ?? you know the horizontal style loaded with 220 grit paper ?

[@B205Wrench]

Very helpful man. You have just earned a subscriber!

[@NotesAndVolts]

Thanks Jesse! Welcome!

[@smashbrav]

This is great, cant find this anywhere else, thanks so much :)

[@goonzjav]

thats great idea for a flat piece. How about small pieces like a watch buckle or things that are not flat and have sides to them?

[@NotesAndVolts]

goonzjav Hi Goonzjav. For small or odd shaped pieces, you can attach the sandpaper to the jig and slide the piece across it. Just try to keep the sanding marks parallel and it will look good.

[@navidshadzi8704]

Very helpful to me. Thank you

[@NotesAndVolts]

Thank you :)

[@joshears2003]

Thanks I'm going to try it

[@eugenerobson740]

Thanks for the reply, would i need to prep it? If so, what would you suggest? 👍

[@charliebirkner8729]

What do you coat this with (to prevent oxidation, smudges, etc)? I have not had good luck with clear on aluminum...

[@gonzalozech]

You should anodize it after you brush it

[@DJAnointed1210]

What grade aluminum did you use? Great video. Thank you for taking the time to make it.

[@mikealman63tab]

Hi, First thanks for the vid, I have recently started working with aluminium and copper for jewellery and don't always want a mirror finish, esp on the mens pieces, an this jig idea will be very useful for me :-) plus I play guitar so will deffo be a regular visitor to your website. Cheers bud ;-)

[@ChristopherdeVilliers]

This helped so much. Thank you

[@Bulgdoom]

Is there something you can do to prevent it from oxidizing? Its barely aluminium after all, wonder if you can use some clear top coat that will still keep the look and add protection, or even some type of wax?

[@187onasimp]

You can clear coat it. T hat "Rim clear" they sell at Autozone or Advanced Auto is good

[@rabbaga5t]

Will you need to anodize the part post treating it using this method? Thanks for the guide. Looks almost too easy :)

[@krzysztofwitkowski6982]

In intro you used Arp 2600 and Spark Vintage from Arturia :)

[@NotesAndVolts]

+Krzysztof Witkowski Good ears!

[@krzysztofwitkowski6982]

Notes and Volts No, we simply using the same plugins :) Do you have any advice to make captions on metal?

[@NotesAndVolts]

+Krzysztof Witkowski If you mean engraving, I don't have much experience.

[@krzysztofwitkowski6982]

Notes and Volts In my city is company where I can engrave (with laser) thin (1 mm) plastic, but I don't know that it will be good. Anyway - first I must build stable VCO with good tracking and MIDI - CV/GATE converter. If VCO willn;t track good I will leave synth projects :D But I hope it will work good

[@yogibeer9319]

GREAT VIDEO!

[@NotesAndVolts]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@NotesAndVolts]

Awesome! Glad it worked for you.

[@andresvallet4649]

i have a project that require very tight tolerances, any idea how much material this takes off usually?

[@paulwharton1850]

Very, very good - Thanks!

[@NotesAndVolts]

Thanks Paul!

[@tomsnider7611]

How would you do this to more three dimensional pieces?

[@MrAkissoon]

what grit sandpaper you used

[@Dedalo360]

Que bueno ahora me toca hacer una tabla como riel y hacer mi backplate ded gpu

[@chyeeaaboi]

Do you think I can do this on bare aluminum and then spray paint it black and still have that brushed look? I don't know if I should buy bare, then brush n paint...or buy it black painted then brush it hoping it doesn't scrap all of the paint off

[@NotesAndVolts]

I think you would need to brush it first, then paint. Actually, paint would most likely cover up the texture anyway, you would probably need to anodize it. If you do it the other way, you will have a black surface covered in ugly silver scratches :)

[@chyeeaaboi]

ok...I think I am actually going to order this lian li side panel for like 10$ on frozencpu.com...its 1mm thin and I think its anodized. 12x24...cheapest I can find in that department! Thanks for the tutorial

[@adrianpietraru]

thanks for sharing that!

[@geo58impala]

I'm curious how well this will work for other metals.

[@MrMadhatter2000]

Whoa whoa whoa.... Great tips here but i can see in the end result the holes are indented. That is to say the material is sanded or pressed in so that its not flat around the holes. How did you achieve this? Thx

[@NotesAndVolts]

Hi Tim. I think it is a trick of the light as the actual piece doesn't noticeably recess around the holes. You can see it from a different angle at the 2:06 mark.

[@derbigpr500]

tim wilson The small edge was slightly flexed during the drilling process, not during sanding itself.

[@Gh0stwheeI]

Question 1: Would this work with a hand held belt sander instead of a block sander? Question 2: Does this achieve the same result as "hairline brushing"? I think the terms "directional" and "hairline" brushing *may* go hand in hand. I've fabricated a computer case from sheet aluminum and want to give it a hairline brushed effect (similar to Lian Lis cases) before I get it anodized in black. I haven't been able to find any services that do this to pre-fabricated metal, so this will soon be my last resort. Any one here knowledgable in this area mind educating me? Notes And Volts?

[@NotesAndVolts]

Hi R Hl. 1. I think a power sander might be too aggressive for aluminum. The key is to move the abrasive in one direction using a continuous stroke across the entire surface. Also, it's a good idea to try any finishing technique on a scrap piece before the final part. 2. I believe this is the same as hairline brushing.

[@wumarNart]

if I wanted that finish on both sided, would the double sided tape affect the finish or I just have to clean any adhesive residue ?

[@NotesAndVolts]

+Nart Wumar Hi Nart. In my experience, the tape leaves very little residue. Even if it does, you can easily clean it with some rubbing alcohol.

[@wumarNart]

thanks

[@mason4127]

will this work on copper. and if not what will

[@josephmichael4766]

nice!

[@VidarrKerr]

Thanks.

[@eugenerobson740]

Can you spray straight onto it with candies?

[@NotesAndVolts]

Hi Eugene. Sorry, that's something I haven't tried.

[@TheSmunkyslap]

Can this be done with same effect on stainless steel?

[@satibel]

yes, but it will be longer to do.

[@limadamata8883]

Exactly as I imagined, I tried once by hand and imagined that I need a bench support.

[@riparianlife97701]

I currently have a dozen people putting a brushed finish on the world's largest Aluminum bridge.

[@NotesAndVolts]

+Docktor Jim Wow! I got a sore arm just doing that small piece :)

[@cochranand]

OK so any ideas on how to do this to a motorcycle tank

[@NotesAndVolts]

Hi Coch. I think the curved surface would make this difficult.

[@cochranand]

Notes and Volts yeah trying to think of a brush or some type of barrier that's ridget horizontally but flexible vertically if you understand what I mean not sure if I'm describing what i have in my head correct

[@ravekid23]

Looks nice until you touch it. WIthout any type of sealant on their it'll last a few hours probably.

[@PeterGrenader]

not going in the same direction as much as GOING WITH THE GRAIN

[@JonnyD3ath]

Peter Grenader there’s no grain in metal?

[@patmat.]

​@JonnyD3ath There can be microscopic grains but not fibers. His comment applies to wood, off topic.

[@Xperto_]

How hard is it to scratch brushed alluminum?

[@NotesAndVolts]

Hi X-perto. The aluminum I used here is very soft so it would scratch quite easily if subjected to wear.

[@Xperto_]

Notes and Volts thanks for the info!

[@andygaras]

well i done i say

[@NotesAndVolts]

Thanks Andy!

[@СаняИнкогнито-п3э]

Клёво

[@tod4y]

Since when is aluminium called aluminum? Btw thanks for the video.

[@NotesAndVolts]

+tod4y Since north america :)

[@MaketoMake815]

It was originally called aluminum when it was first played with in North America, there must've been a slight paperwork error when they sent the first batch to Europe.

[@raisingh602]

I'm a stainless steel polisher and that's not how u polish u need the right tools for the good u only need a tpx wheel no need for sand paper lol.

[@SOLDOZER]

Its not a polish you fucking idiot.

[@surturfenrir2864]

piss off rai, like holy shit can you not see that his method worked for what he was trying to create?

[@michaelfletcher1694]

Rai Singh only thing you polish is your helmet, In your room, alone at night, lonely multiple time, between chocolate and crisps 😂

[@JohnLRice]

nice!