Surface finishing help

[Edvil91]

Fellas,

I need help with surface finishes on lowers. I've noticed that some vendors sell lowers that have been tumbled and some that have been media blasted. What prep work would be recomended prior to ano? How would a straight tumbled part look anodized, too shiny?

Much Thanks!

[kcstott]

The finish you start with is the finish you will end up with after anodizing if the anodizer does not polish or hand finish the part.

Anodizing does nothing to cover up or hide imperfections too.

Most of the lowers on the market are grit blasted then anodized to produce a flat to nearly flat finish.

[1flhtk4me]

At the machine shop I work at,90% of the aluminum parts we make get finished with Scotch-Brite™ General Purpose Hand Pad 7447 prior to anodizing.

We attach the pad to orbital sanders.
You could also use a pad by hand attached to a sanding block for a straight grained finish.

[Edvil91]

Thanks for the input!