Sanding/Polishing Aluminum Enclosure

[peAk]

About to finish a build that will not be painted. This will be my first aluminum non-painted enclosure with a waterslide.

Any tips? sand 600-800-1000-1200-etc? Overkill?

Any advice would be appreciated!

[jkokura]

In my experience, the more you work with the lowest grit values, the better it turns out. In other words, if you spend 1/2 hour with 120 grit, you'll only have 3 minutes of work with the 2500 grit. This is what I used and it turned out awesome:

120
180
240
320
400
600
800
1000
1500
2000
2500

Jacob

[peAk]

In my experience, the more you work with the lowest grit values, the better it turns out. In other words, if you spend 1/2 hour with 120 grit, you'll only have 3 minutes of work with the 2500 grit. This is what I used and it turned out awesome:

120
180
240
320
400
600
800
1000
1500
2000
2500

Jacob

okay, great info. What about waterslide on top? Anything different? Just wasn't sure about smudges underneath or anything.

[jkokura]

One thing you'll find about polished enclosures is that they're much, MUCH, harder to get things to stick to. The reality is that all those little imperfections are what gives your decal something to 'grip.' Take away the imperfections, and suddenly it's harder to stick things to it.

In my experience, I could NOT get clear coat to stick to a perfectly polished enclosure. I actually had to leave it at a less than polished finish to get anything to stick. However, that's just my experience.

It will likely take you some experimentation to get it right, but I'm sure you'll be able to learn to do it for yourself. It's not that tough, and I'm looking forward to seeing your results!

Jacob

[juansolo]

Yeah, when we polish enclosures, we don't spend a huge amount of time and grits doing it. It just gets wet sanded for about 10 mins then polished up. It's not super shiny, but it gets a nice effect.

[peAk]

Okay, that's good to know. The decal I am putting on has quite a bit of graphics with some of the aluminum that will be showing through. So maybe I shouldn't go for too shiny of a polish ...at least on top.

This makes me wonder how that shiny steel big muff enclosure I bought from the guy on this forum is going to work with water slide. Maybe that enclosure I will go with the clear sticker paper.

[Clayford]

I can assure you, if you get close to "mirror" nothing will stick.


That's wet sanded to 800 then buffed with Black, Brown, and finally white.

[davent]

I've used decals on bare aluminum chassis but pretty sure i only sanded to 220, maybe 400 wet so there was something for the clearcoat to bite onto. Sanded->clearcoat->decal->clearcoat.

[Leevibe]

I've used decals on bare aluminum chassis but pretty sure i only sanded to 220, maybe 400 wet so there was something for the clearcoat to bite onto. Sanded->clearcoat->decal->clearcoat.

Gorgeous build Dave

[peAk]

wow, nice stuff!

So does everyone use a clear coat BEFORE the waterslide AND after on non painted enclosures?

Or is it possible to just Enclosure>Decal>Clear coat?

[Bret608]

wow, nice stuff!

So does everyone use a clear coat BEFORE the waterslide AND after on non painted enclosures?

Or is it possible to just Enclosure>Decal>Clear coat?

That's kind of what I was wondering, too. Also, really useful to know not to go too high of a grit if a waterslide is going to stay put! 

[davent]

Thanks guys! A couple more examples. The inkjet decals on the amp were less successful, they have a slight haze that never disappears... so visible. The laserjet decals are clear and easily disappear into the clearcoat.



dave

[blearyeyes]

Don't know how this is going to work out but I have a polished enclosure and grabbed a Scotch Bright pad on a whim and rubbed the top. Gives it a brushed aluminum effect that might hold a decal better.. I guess I'm going to find out.