Rich Grise wrote:
Jim Stewart wrote:
doc wrote:
Any suggestions for finishing an aluminum bracket?
(bout 3" sq.)

No critical dimensions or anything.

Just want to get rid of witness marks and shine up the piece
so it doesn't look too rough.

I'm thinking something like flap wheels or some of that
3M stuff.

Fastest would be to grain it with about 200
grit sandpaper in one direction. Making very
light scribe marks helps alot.

I've seen mirror-smooth aluminum, but I have no idea how they
achieved it - maybe lapping?

I've gotten near-mirror finishes by sanding with
progressively finer grits of sandpaper, ending
with 800 or so and then buffing with a canvas
wheel and polishing rouge. Ryobi sells the wheels
and rouge at Home Despot.