Cast Aluminum Cosmetics

[Rick Iverson]

Gents:

I have several noticeable gouges and gross imperfections on the port side of my RF-95 oil reservoir/bell housing. I have previously dealt with a vender that restored numerous parts for me, and he was quire good. But I want better.

I tried to “fix it” by sanding the mars, but only to flattened the sand casting texture. It now needs minor Al fill and “dimpling”, to capture the original look. The process uses pneumatic tool that precisely duplicates the surrounding texture.

Any recommendations?

[marchsv]

I have carefully used a small needle gun to replicate a cast texture. They are cheep, stop by goodwill and buy a couple of cast pots and give it a try. The one I bought came apart easily, you can regrind the needles to get the texture.

[Rick Kirchner]

steel shot?

[tlracer]

steel shot?

Light blasting with a sharp media, eg. cut wire, works well.

[marchsv]

“Light blasting with a sharp media, eg. cut wire, works well.”

Would you mind sharing a more detailed description I would love to know!

[Hardingfv32]

I prefer to do everything by hand with a ball peen hammer. Use various grits zirconium sand paper or sanding discs for really big grains. Vary the force of the hammer hits. Soften the finish with sand blasting or a soft wire wheel.

There is a lot of art involved, so take your time. There is no texture you cannot duplicated.

Brian

[tlracer]

“Light blasting with a sharp media, eg. cut wire, works well.”

Would you mind sharing a more detailed description I would love to know!

Yep, this...

https://shotsblastingmachine.com/car...ire-shots/amp/

Steel wire cut into short 'pellets', it's often used for fairly aggressive cleaning as its sharp, eg. old, hardened paint or rust on materials like cast iron.

However, with reduced pressure it works on things like sandcast aluminium where the original surface finish has been lost, like Rick's bellhousing.

I first used it on a pair of Swift uprights - these had been painted (badly) in a previous life and had various scars and dings. After cut wire blasting, they came up really well and the even surface finish looked exactly like fresh cast.

[stonebridge20]

Just an FYI to all the race fans out there.

Stonebridge Cryoscience is now offering:

Dry ice blasting
Vapor honing
And tooling up right now to offer Lazer rust and paint removal in the very short future.

Cheers

[tlracer]

And tooling up right now to offer Lazer rust and paint removal in the very short future.

I've seen a few promo videos about this, but it would be good to hear an unbiased opinion...as you're setting up, I'm guessing it is actually effective?

[stonebridge20]

I've seen a few promo videos about this, but it would be good to hear an unbiased opinion...as you're setting up, I'm guessing it is actually effective?

I'll be posting up some before and after pictures once we actually flick the on switch up.

The operating manual is about 2" thick so.....

Fingers crossed for effective powercoat removal.

[Rick Iverson]

Does it remove any material as in vapor blasting?

Dry ice blasting

[Rick Iverson]

Gents:

Again, I need a vendor. Any recommendations, please?

[stonebridge20]

Does it remove any material as in vapor blasting?

No, it doesn't remove material. It's really more for cleaning and flakey rust/corrosion removal.

[Rick Kirchner]

dry ice blasting is just a gentle media.

vapor blasting uses water to increase the momentum of the media.

[Rick Iverson]

PM me

No, it doesn't remove material. It's really more for cleaning and flakey rust/corrosion removal.

[stonebridge20]

PM me

Um......OK.

[Rick Iverson]

You have mail

Um......OK.

[stonebridge20]

You have mail

I beg to differ.

[Rick Iverson]

Mike:

I have attempted to send you three (3) PMs regarding commerce. There is an issue with sending to you specifically, as I have corresponded with another Apexer last week.

I beg to differ.