extruded aluminum

[csaddler]

i am going to start (in a month or two) to p/c aluminum....i am getting the aluminum straight from the supplier do i need to sandblast it or can i just clean with soap & water....and if not what other (cheap) alternatives are there instead of blasting?

[non-stick]

I've seen it done a lot of ways for extruded. Some of the line guys just degrease and coat it ( not the best way in my humble opinion) and some people blast it and then coat it. Others chemically treat the surface ( http://www.caswellplating.com/aids/metal.htm ). I suppose it's most always preferable to blast the part you intend to coat as in my opinion, that's the best adhesion you can achieve. Are you doing just one or two pieces, or will there be a lot of them for a long time (volume)? I almost hate saying this... but in a situation like that, ( this is the part where I'm gonna take flack, I just know it) you can probably just degrease and coat it, depending on what powder. Try the chromate solution AS your degreaser and see how that works out for you. If anything..... don't use soap and water. It will leave smut on your part somewhere and a solvent is better in that case. Hope that helps.... Russ

[csaddler]

THANKS I THINK I WILL INVEST IN THE SANDBLASTER...I SUPPOSE I WILL NEED IT IN THE FUTURE....AND ALL THE POSTS THAT I HAVE READ SEEM TO CONFIRM YOUR "HUMBLE " OPINION(LOL)....CHRIS

[tomg552001]

Sand blasting is cheap, easy, and will give you the best adhesion at your level.