Welding Tips and Tricks

Anybody know of a solution to pretty up 6061 after fabrication?
If there isn't anything I'll have to flap sand them. Is WD-40 the way to keep the sandpaper from clogging?

red "scotch-bright" if you have to do it mechanically.

Alu- brite is the way to go. And then soapy water.

Barkeepers Friend. I use it to repassivate SS. Does wonders on copper. Bet it would work on AL.

Are you trying to polish it to have some luster or are you trying to remove the white etching zone from the cleaning action?

Hey Mate, I'm with Mike ALU BRITE for clean up works very well and soap for your sandpaper stops ally clogging it up not real sure what it is made of just comes in a foil tray from my LWS . I think Jody mentioned in a recent video he used some shower soap .
Cheers Troy

Thanks for the suggs. I just started fabbing more with Al since I have the way to weld now.

I'm just going for pretty. 6061 has that dull look from the mill. I want that scotch Brite look all over. I'll definitely get some alu-brite.

I do wood work too. It's always the finishing I try to sidestep.....work..ug.

Thanks again!

I'm not seeing alu Brite available in this 3rd world USA country...I'll keep looking.

Eagle One Etching mag cleaner....on Amazon. Looks like it's strong enough. Feedback says it does etch the surface.

nelson wrote:I'm not seeing alu Brite available in this 3rd world USA country...I'll keep looking.

aluma brite

or

aluma kleen

Eagle has worked for me in the past, I use it to remove oxide layer prior to welding.

nelson wrote:Eagle One Etching mag cleaner....on Amazon. Looks like it's strong enough. Feedback says it does etch the surface.

Thanks pgk, that's great. I buy stuff that doesn't work way too often.

I spilled some prep and etch ( phosphoric acid for rust removal) on aluminum and it shined up nicely. Cheap at Home Depot.