OT - Polishing Aluminum

[weirdjim]

OK, Here is the aviation content ... you can use these power supplies to charge your aircraft battery.

I teach robotics ("mechatronics") at the local community college. One of the freshman classes teaches students the art of making a voltage variable power supply (0-15 volts, 0-1 amp) starting with a flat sheet of 5052H32 (0.050") and using machine tools to bend up a small chassis about the size of a kleenex box.

One of the students wants to put a mirror finish on his chassis instead of the normal paint over zinc chromate finish. Anybody know if 5052 will polish up and if so, your recommended process?

Thanks
Jim

 

[Tom-D]

OK, Here is the aviation content ... you can use these power supplies to charge your aircraft battery.

I teach robotics ("mechatronics") at the local community college. One of the freshman classes teaches students the art of making a voltage variable power supply (0-15 volts, 0-1 amp) starting with a flat sheet of 5052H32 (0.050") and using machine tools to bend up a small chassis about the size of a kleenex box.

One of the students wants to put a mirror finish on his chassis instead of the normal paint over zinc chromate finish. Anybody know if 5052 will polish up and if so, your recommended process?

Thanks
Jim

It will polish, but will not have the brilliance of chrome, or other aluminums.

 

[dmccormack]

Start with 800 grit then finish with NeverDull.

 

[Tom-D]

Start with 800 grit then finish with NeverDull.

On new sheet? no, start with 1500 grit only in scratched places and the rest will polish with any good polish and a buffer.