"dirt" embedded in aluminum

[FigureLLC]

i remember reading a thread about little specs of dirt or contamination in aluminum that ends up being smeared into the good aluminum, but i can't find it now. well, now i've got some of that metal and i'm looking for the trick. it's a shame because the metal is in pretty decent shape (shines real fast with a sprial sewn wheel and tripoly), but these little dots of crud are making it tedious. the metal is pretty flat, so should i use a 400 grit flap wheel? ...i'd have to get one or else i'd have already tried that.

[jrow]

FigureLLC,

Try dipping/spraying it with acetone, scrub it with a brush. After that use some Dawn dish washing liquid, in warm water, and wash it.
If the aluminum is smooth I wouldn't touch it with a piece of sand paper!!

John

[mpierich]

Originally Posted by FigureLLC

i remember reading a thread about little specs of dirt or contamination in aluminum that ends up being smeared into the good aluminum, but i can't find it now. well, now i've got some of that metal and i'm looking for the trick. it's a shame because the metal is in pretty decent shape (shines real fast with a sprial sewn wheel and tripoly), but these little dots of crud are making it tedious. the metal is pretty flat, so should i use a 400 grit flap wheel? ...i'd have to get one or else i'd have already tried that.

Do a search on the word "inclusions", it might help.

[FigureLLC]

jrow, i'll try pre-washing. it's not really something i've ever done on relatively clean looking metal, but after thinking about it, that's still probably helpful. it'd certainly be a shame to sand it first! (i actually smiled after the first few seconds i had it on the wheel bc it was polishing so nice).

mpierich, i searched for inclusions without luck. the inclusions in the thread i read didn't sound like what i was seeing. this metal was 3000 series aluminum sheet, and the "dirt" was a few isolated specs. maybe pressed into the aluminum during the rolling process?