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10-15-2008, 10:22 PM
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#1 |
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Registered User
 Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Mid Michigan
Posts: 90
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Sandblasting aluminum
Hey has anyone had good results with sandblasting anodized aluminum( like the grill) or does that cause too much damage? My grill is oxidized real bad and I would like to just strip it down and start over. Thanks for any ideas
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Nothing better than an old truck... 76 C-10 Silverado 92 Silverado Z71 Last edited by drmiller1; 10-15-2008 at 10:23 PM. Reason: bad typing |
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10-15-2008, 10:31 PM
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#2 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Mid NE USA
Posts: 2,212
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Re: Sandblasting aluminum
If you used sand it would pit it pretty bad. You could possibly use soda with good results. Ya might try some CRL cleaner, it is Calcium, rust and lime. It might work good. You can get it walmart in the cleaning isle.
Ron
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Member #111 68 C-10 Daily Driver70  4x4 Project76 Jeep CJ-5 Help Support the Board: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/payments.php He who knows nothing is closer to the truth than he whose mind is filled with falsehoods and errors. Thomas Jefferson |
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10-15-2008, 10:31 PM
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#3 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Summerville SC
Posts: 217
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Re: Sandblasting aluminum
I have sand blasted allot of stuff but never aluminum, I would probably wet sand it with a really light grit sand paper and soapy water. Thats just my 2 cents
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10-15-2008, 10:37 PM
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#4 |
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Account Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: over yonder
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Re: Sandblasting aluminum
the aluminum is probably not oxidized as much as you may think, if it is really cloudy looking it is more than likely the anodizing. Try this easy test: take some aluminum polish and try to buff a small section that looks really oxidized. If it doesn't shine after buffing, then you will need to strip the anodizing and polish the aluminum underneath.
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10-15-2008, 10:41 PM
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#5 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Mid Michigan
Posts: 90
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Re: Sandblasting aluminum
I have tried a bunch of different cleaners with no luck. How do I go about stripping the finish off? thanks
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Nothing better than an old truck... 76 C-10 Silverado 92 Silverado Z71 |
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10-15-2008, 10:54 PM
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#6 |
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Account Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: over yonder
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Re: Sandblasting aluminum
oven cleaner will work ... be sure to wear long sleeves, safety glasses and rubber gloves as this stuff will burn ya.
i've hand buffed one before, but have read that other's here have had great luck with the Mother's Polishing Ball. |
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10-15-2008, 11:02 PM
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#7 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: (Cloverdale) Surrey BC Canada
Posts: 1,566
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Re: Sandblasting aluminum
i was watching tucks one time, and they said best way to polish aluminum is oven cleaner
spray on, leave 10 minutes wipe off buff with aluminum polish and it should shine well havent had a chance to try it yet, but I've heard it works
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Travis
travis_moffatt@hotmail.com  1969 Chevrolet C-10 LWB, 350c.i., TH350, In Pieces. 1991 GMC Sonoma, IROCS s10 grill 1963 Ford Galaxie 351/C4 |
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10-15-2008, 11:03 PM
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#8 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Nanaimo B.C.
Posts: 604
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Re: Sandblasting aluminum
I have heard that oven cleaner will work as well
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I was hooked on these trucks since 1982 when I drove my budys fathers 1968 Custum GMC 396 automatic dana 60 rear with a power lock diff what a ride more fun then we will we can ever tell!! |
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10-16-2008, 09:06 AM
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#9 | |
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Account Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: over yonder
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Re: Sandblasting aluminum
Quote:
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10-16-2008, 09:19 AM
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#10 |
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Retired Air Force Veteran
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Pembroke Pines, Florida 33024
Posts: 1,808
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Re: Sandblasting aluminum
I just recently cleaned a set of silver anodized wrenches in the blaster and used glass instead of sand because it's much finer. Set the regulator to 20 p.s.i. and this cleaned the wrenches prior to powder coating. I powder coated the wrenches different colors to use as samples for powder coating aluminum. They came out sweet looking and are very durable.
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Harry 69' SWB Step Side 1/2 Ton w/68' Front Clip Swap from Leafs to Trailing Arms (Complete) Swap 6 Lug to 5 Lug (w/ Disk Brakes in Front) 3/6 Drop  Help Support The Board Click Here For Information On How To Subscribe Krue's FAQ Page Vendors |
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10-16-2008, 09:53 AM
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#11 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Homestead, FL
Posts: 242
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Re: Sandblasting aluminum
I had some Neverdull left from boot camp (we had to polish EVERYTHING) and that worked well on the bumper and a small section of the grill.
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1972 C/10!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NEW ADDITION!! 1969 C/10 LWB (Gone to greener pastures) 2006 Cadillac SRX http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=303768 |
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10-16-2008, 10:17 AM
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#12 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: daytonabeach
Posts: 22,956
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Re: Sandblasting aluminum
oven cleaner will work but take care not to leaveit on too long because it will eat right thru the aluminium/ you'll be ok as long as you wash it off with water really good// yes on the rubber gloves and eye protection
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71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY |
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10-16-2008, 10:19 AM
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#13 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Philadelphia, Pa. 19454
Posts: 9,768
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Re: Sandblasting aluminum
Gotta agree not to use sandblasting, but never tried it. Using soda and 20psi as said may work, but I wanted to get my parts anodized and asked a shop. Unbelievable price!!! Tried 1200 grit sandpaper and that was taking forever to remove the coating
He said he could put it in a caustic bath for about a minute, and the part came out clean with no anodized coating. Then just polish up with regular alum. polish. He did it free of charge Curious about the oven cleaner
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Semper Fi...Uncle Sam, you da man All parts offered to help are free, unless otherwise noted Dont try this stuff in my build thread, unless you have 55 years of mechanical OTJ training SAFETY FIRST AS usual, off topic They say your mind goes second, can't remember the first Jim Last edited by jaros44sr; 10-16-2008 at 10:22 AM. |
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10-16-2008, 10:25 AM
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#14 |
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Special Order
  
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Mt Airy, MD
Posts: 85,851
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Re: Sandblasting aluminum
What works to clean an oven?
I`ve blasted aluminum I was powdercoating.That works great.You can just chemically (oven cleaner) strip the trim,wash,and polish.
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"BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~ |
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10-16-2008, 10:42 AM
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#15 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Southern, California
Posts: 66
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Re: Sandblasting aluminum
The oven cleaner works well, but keep your eye on it. When you see the foam start to change color, take a nylon bristle brush and give it a quick scrub then spray more oven cleaner (you really want to use gloves and goggles). Then clean it with water, and wet sand at 400-600 grit then move up to 800, then a 1000 grit wet sanding and your ready to polish. Watch out for leaving it on too long and pitting the metal. I tried sandblasting with fine grit glass beads on low pressure, then I had to start wet sanding at 220 grit.
I have also heard that drian cleaner with LYE works really good but is dangerous and if it is too strong can really damage the metal. Here is a good link. http://www.finishing.com/4800-4999/4884.shtml |
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10-16-2008, 03:05 PM
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#16 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Ben Wheeler,Texas
Posts: 992
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Re: Sandblasting aluminum
The drain cleaner is caustic, normally about 95% in crystal form. Wear PPE for sure. I buy caustic soda for our company and it is 50% solution and it is some bad stuff!
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05 2500HD 6.0 excab 69 LWB-Gone but not forgotten! 68 Dodge Charger 383/727 69 Dodge Charger-440/4spd |
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10-16-2008, 03:54 PM
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#17 |
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Moderator
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Southern Cal
Posts: 20,046
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Re: Sandblasting aluminum
Use oven cleaner....works great. I left it on overnight and had NO problems with metal pitting, etc. Cleaned it off, and polished with three different compounds to get it to shine. Looks like NOS now! The key is patience and time.
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10-16-2008, 07:11 PM
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#18 |
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Old Skool Club
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas"
Posts: 10,880
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Re: Sandblasting aluminum
I took my grille to a guy who was recommended to me. He quoted me as much to restore my grille as a new one would cost. But, he also told me that the way he does the restoration is to start sanding the grille with fine automotive wet/dry papers until the pits and scratches are gone. Then, you use a buffing compound to go finer, yet. Tripoli is the preferred compound for aluminum, and it is supposed to go a good job of taking it down. Then, you get progressively finer grades of compounds until you have like you want it.
Sherwin-Williams Automotive paint stores have an air-powed buffer (designed for wheels) that has several grades of compounds in the kit, but no tripoli. The kit is about $100, and is identical to the one that www.eastwood.com sells for about $25 more.
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Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was. |
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10-16-2008, 09:32 PM
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#19 | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: (Cloverdale) Surrey BC Canada
Posts: 1,566
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Re: Sandblasting aluminum
Quote:
you buff it with aluminum polish after to give it the shine
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Travis
travis_moffatt@hotmail.com 1969 Chevrolet C-10 LWB, 350c.i., TH350, In Pieces. 1991 GMC Sonoma, IROCS s10 grill 1963 Ford Galaxie 351/C4 |
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10-16-2008, 10:10 PM
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#20 | |
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Account Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: over yonder
Posts: 14,270
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Re: Sandblasting aluminum
Quote:
Giving out bad/wrong information is not only costly to the uneducated but can also sometimes cause problems for the advice giver. It will oxidize, tarnish and stain bare aluminum. It is used to remove anodizing, NOT to polish. And NOT all aluminum parts are anodized. |
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10-17-2008, 06:10 AM
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#21 | |
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Special Order
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Mt Airy, MD
Posts: 85,851
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Re: Sandblasting aluminum
Quote:
Just reading the first line,it does say to polish aluminum with oven cleaner.I can see how this came about. Just remember,this is anodized polished aluminum.You strip the anodizing and polish the aluminum back out.Now you have to keep polishing it or you could have it clear anodized like the factory or try a clear powdercoat or whatever. Any ideas???
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"BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~ Last edited by special-K; 10-17-2008 at 10:16 AM. |
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10-17-2008, 07:04 AM
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#22 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Joppa, Maryland
Posts: 4,408
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Re: Sandblasting aluminum
JMO , but, if using oven cleaner, DO NOT use "Easy Off" brand with the "Yellow Cap". That stuff will eat aluminum with or without an anodized coating, and turn it black in a matter of seconds. Don't ask me how I know this, but it's really neat to watch the metal start smoking. They have the other Easy Off with the "Blue Cap" that's not as harsh. Either way, I would try this on a old piece I don't need 1st. Temperature also has a lot to do with how the oven cleaner reacts. The warmer it gets, the faster & better it will strip.
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1997 GMC Sierra Ext 1965 Mustang |
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10-17-2008, 07:51 AM
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#23 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Mid Michigan
Posts: 90
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Re: Sandblasting aluminum
Okay, thanks guys. If I understand this right: I can use oven cleaner-10 minutes or so; rinse it off; finish with progressive wet sanding or if it is not pitted too bad, a good aluminum polish. I will try it this weekend and let you know how it went. Thanks again.
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Nothing better than an old truck... 76 C-10 Silverado 92 Silverado Z71 |
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10-17-2008, 08:57 AM
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#24 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Santa Maria, Ca.
Posts: 1,423
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Re: Sandblasting aluminum
I sent my grille to a chrome shop and they dipped it to remove the anodizing then I polished it to get the shine but now I have to keep wax on it.
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69 Chevy 4x4 383 Power
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10-17-2008, 12:10 PM
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#25 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Southern, California
Posts: 66
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Re: Sandblasting aluminum
After I am done banging out all of the dents a stripping the anodized surfaces I was going to use the Eastwood Diamond Clear for bare metal. I have used a couple of their products with great results, plus if I spay it I can make sure it gets applied really thick and glossy. The are pricey on some of their items, but it has been worth it so far.
Here are some pics of the trim I've already straightened and polished. |
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