Topic: Aluminum cast bare Finish Advice Needed

[Zax]

Hi,

 I considered hijacking a couple threads in the project shop but think this is more considerate. i have a 78 750F that needed fork seals (just completed). while the front end was apart i picked up new brake pads, bead blasted the rotor centers and had the rotors machined. With the caliper mounts off i bead blasted them too (after not so good results in a parts cleaner soak). I love the flat finish but from what I have read here it will not last long in this state but most of the posts I tracked down talk more about polished aluminum. 

 What is the best solution to protect cast aluminum parts and hardware after bead blasting? I love the texture and flat look of bare aluminum metal and really want to keep it that way. I am now looking at other hardware, valve tappet covers, lower triple clamp etc


Thanks,

 ZACH

[Bodi]

Clear anodizing might worl OK. Trying to color anodized cast parts gives a blotchy effect but I'm unsure of whether that means the actual surface conversion is faulty or if it just doesn't take dye as well as billet.

[bjbuchanan]

Just use a polishing cleaner every once in a while to maintain the look. You don't really need to put anything on it with a little maintenance