Finishing of aluminum is very easy to do yourself.
Recently I had a plate made for a mates motorcycle from 6 mm 8026 grade aluminum.
When the plate arrived it looked nasty.
I proceeded to sand it down using an orbital sander and some 400 grit paper.
After the sanding I etched the plate in caustic soda solution for 1 hour.
Then it was anodized (40 min electrolysis + 40 min boil)
The caustic soda etching gave the plate a satin finish with the natural crystal grain of the metal displayed.
Recently I had a plate made for a mates motorcycle from 6 mm 8026 grade aluminum.
When the plate arrived it looked nasty.
I proceeded to sand it down using an orbital sander and some 400 grit paper.
After the sanding I etched the plate in caustic soda solution for 1 hour.
Then it was anodized (40 min electrolysis + 40 min boil)
The caustic soda etching gave the plate a satin finish with the natural crystal grain of the metal displayed.
