Capabilities · Finishing
Other aluminum surface treatments
Brushing, sandblasting, polishing, electrophoresis and silk-screen printing — the finishing touches that tune look, tactility and marking on aluminum parts. We combine them with anodizing and powder coating as needed.
Brushed aluminum
A directional satin grain from an abrasive belt — a clean, fingerprint-friendly look on enclosures and trims. Hides minor handling marks better than a bright polish.
Sandblasting (bead blast)
A uniform matte texture from media impact. Also the standard prep step that keys a surface for coating or bonding.
Polishing
Mirror or bright finish built up through progressive compounds. Used where reflectivity or a decorative face matters.
Electrophoresis (e-coat)
An even, thin organic film deposited electrically — good corrosion protection and a consistent color (black is common), even on complex shapes.
Silk-screen printing
Logos, labels and part numbers printed onto anodized or coated surfaces for permanent marking.
Combined finishes
e.g. brush + anodize, or blast + powder coat — layered effects that read as one deliberate finish.
How each treatment is applied
- Brushing. Driven abrasive belt lays a consistent directional grain; direction is specified on the drawing.
- Sandblasting. Media (glass bead, alumina) blasted at controlled pressure for a uniform matte.
- Polishing. Progressive compounds from coarse to fine, then buff to the target gloss.
- E-coat. Part submerged and energized so paint deposits evenly, then cured.
- Screen print. Artwork burned to a screen, ink pressed through, then cured onto the surface.
Which treatment to choose
These are accents and preparation steps, not the primary corrosion finish. Match the effect to the job:
| You want… | Use |
|---|---|
| Metallic, thin, heat-conductive look | Anodizing (see anodizing page) |
| Color + durability outdoors | Powder coating (see powder page) |
| Satin directional grain | Brushing |
| Uniform matte or coating prep | Sandblasting |
| Reflective / decorative face | Polishing |
| Even thin protection, complex shape | E-coat |
| Logos / part numbers | Silk-screen printing |
Capability & typical specs
| Treatment | Typical spec |
|---|---|
| Brushing | directional grain, specified lay |
| Sandblasting | matte, media per finish |
| Polishing | satincut / mirror, per sample |
| E-coat | thin even film, black/common colors |
| Screen print | 1–2 color, cured ink |
Treatment choice and combination confirmed against your drawing and the final finish you need.
DFM notes
Design for surface treatment
- Specify grain direction. Brushing is directional — call out the lay (e.g. lengthwise) so parts match across a batch.
- Blast before coating. If a part will be anodized or powder coated, sandblasting is usually the prep, not the final look.
- Marking placement. Put silk-screen on a flat, uncoated-for-print surface; give a clear zone and ink color.
- Combine deliberately. Brush + anodize or blast + powder are common pairs — tell us the stack so we sequence it.
- Sample for cosmetic parts. Grain, gloss and e-coat shade carry a tolerance band; an approved sample avoids rework.
Where these treatments are used
Enclosures & trims
Brushed faces and blasted textures for a deliberate, non-glossy product look.
Decorative & reflective
Polished surfaces for displays, lighting and consumer faces.
Protection under assembly
E-coat where a thin even film must cover complex internal geometry.
Branding
Screen-printed logos and part numbers for traceability and identity.
Frequently asked questions
Brushed or sandblasted — what is the difference?
Brushing lays a directional satin grain (you can see the line direction); sandblasting gives a uniform non-directional matte. Brushing reads as a deliberate product finish; blasting is often the prep step before anodizing or powder coating. Choose by the look you want and whether the surface will later be coated.
Can you combine treatments with anodizing or powder?
Yes, and it is common. Brush then anodize for a grained metallic face, or blast then powder coat for a matte keyed surface. Tell us the finish stack and we sequence it — the order matters for the final result.
What is e-coat good for?
Electrophoresis deposits a thin, even organic film electrically, so it covers complex shapes uniformly — including internal geometry that spray misses. It gives corrosion protection and a consistent color (black typical) and is often used under assembly.
Can you print our logo on the part?
Yes — silk-screen printing puts logos, labels and part numbers onto anodized or coated surfaces. Provide the artwork, ink color and a clear flat zone, and we cure the print for permanence.
Do these replace anodizing or powder coating?
Usually not. Brushing, blasting, polishing, e-coat and printing are accents or prep steps; anodizing and powder coating remain the primary corrosion and color finishes. We combine them — e.g. brush + anodize — rather than substitute.
Finish your parts
Tell us the look you want — we combine treatments with anodizing or powder coating to match it.