Aluminum accessory refinishing

[Lady72nRob71]

I need a little advice on how to refinish this aluminum cruise control regulator...

On the outside, it reminds me of the "Titanic". Most of the white is corrosion.

On the inside, it is near perfect. The outside housing is supposed to look like the inside.

I assume the flat sides could be sanded with 600 grit oxide paper, but most surfaces are irregular.
I do not have a sandblaster; would that work best if i can find one for hire? Would that damage the shell and leave it smooth enough for a clear coat? What media should I specify?

Unfortunately, when this thing is mounted, the ugly side (with the hose nipples) is most visible...

[Jamesbo]

Don't sand blast it

Find someone who has a media blasting cabinet. The greatest invention since "sliced Bread"

ebay/harbor freight etc. has them in different sizes and $$$

Hook it to your compressor and then You just stick your paws into the holes [that has gloves attached]and blast away while looking down through the top.

They use differnt media depending on the application needed.

Very handy dandy

[Eric Anderson]

Hey Rob, IMHO media blasting would be the way to go. I,ve done alot of aluminum parts in my cabinet then clear coated them and they look as good as new. As for media, with a blast cabinet, they use lower pressure siphon feed guns so you don't really have to worry about damage, the crud also strips off pretty much instantly.

As Joe mentioned the different media below, I use glass beads in my cabinet with great success, if there is an area that I dont want affected such as a machined surface or the decal on the wiper motor for an example, I will usually put tape on it, seems to do the trick.

[joe_padavano]

There's been mention here of "media blasting". Just keep in mind that sandblasting is one specific kind of media blasting. Depending on the media you select (sand, glass beads, walnut shells, etc) and the air pressure, the blasting can be very aggressive or very gentle. Aluminum is typically blasted with glass beads and lower pressure since it it softer than cast iron. Walnut shells are even more gentle and have the added benefit that the residue will not damage machined surfaces.

[hamm36]

Rob, I would use diesel and a old tooth brush/stiff brush and wipe clean with shop towel. Or try some hand cleaner/gojo/orange what ever you have first.

[70Post]

Are you going to remove all the internal parts? If not, it's very likely you will end up with media inside the unit.

I would not use sand of any kind, no alum oxide, no "black beauty" coal slag, or any other aggresive media. Too harsh and just not needed for this.


At most glass bead...but it will substantially "brighten" the finish (brighter than the stock castiing).

Walnut shells and equivalent won't do much (maybe that is what you want)....they may remove the rougher oxidation but that's about it. It will still have the "darker" look as opposed to the bright aluminum look you'll get with glassbeading.

Sandpaper??? Bad idea IMO...

You really need to be confident you can seal the inside before subjecting the unit to a blasting cabinet.

[Lady72nRob71]

Thanks to all for such good feedback on this...

It looks like I will finish the degreasing on the backside so that it looks like the cover. Afterwards I will seek a "competent" person to do some light blasting with glass beads. Anyone in DFW area know one??
I have some other small stuff he can do at the same time...
I would LOVE to have a blasting cabinet, but I lack the space for it. I have the compressor though. Maybe I can find a small model...

I did not like the sandpaper idea either - I did not want the brushed look.

The unit will be gutted prior to any cleaning and blasting. All sealing surfaces will be protected somehow as well. I will try to take off the cover label, too.

Should I spray-paint it clear afterwards? With what? Anything good for raw aluminum?

[gearheads78]

I would try walnut shells first and see how you like it. The glass will give more of a satin finish.

If you want a small blast cabnet I will sell you my old one. Needs minor TLC $75.00. I think it Sandyjet brand. I was great for small parts. I bought I big stand up blaster about a month ago so this one needs to go just haven't got around to putting it in craigslist yet.