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2/16/2010 6:38:19 PM EDT
I think I'm almost done re-profiling a 604 upper to resemble a 601 upper for my 601/607 project.
Of course I'm a couple of months away (at least) from being able to afford sending it off to Victor.
But do I need to keep sanding it smooth while I'm waiting or not?
How much sanding and smoothing is necessary before sending off to US Anodizing?
Do I need it 0000 steel wool smooth, or does Victor bead blast them so I might as well not try to get it mirror smooth?

2/16/2010 6:40:51 PM EDT
[#1]
Get the metal as smooth as possible without getting crazy,,but he will blast before he re-anodizes.
2/16/2010 7:04:53 PM EDT
[#2]
Thanks.
But crazy is where I live.
I just don't want to sand and sand until all I have is a bunch of aluminum dust.
The problem is knowing when to stop.
I think I'll smooth it some more, but I won't try to get all the tiny scratches out.
2/16/2010 7:36:02 PM EDT
[#3]
Yea,no need on the tiny scratches,they will fill.The XM16E1 shown in the other post was riddled with pitting,,all gone,,thank you Victor!!
2/16/2010 9:06:40 PM EDT
[#4]
I could be wrong but I do not think he blasts, if memory serves he uses a chemical solution to remove anodizing.
2/16/2010 11:15:27 PM EDT
[#5]
Via email (a year or more ago):
Yes, he chemically strips the old anodizing, but he can/will blast to "blend" the modded areas as needed.
2/17/2010 5:00:09 AM EDT
[#6]
Of the dozen uppers I've sent to Victor, every one has come out looking better then when it went in.  I guess the anodizing hides blemishes, kind of like pancake makeup...
2/17/2010 5:09:30 AM EDT
[#7]
If you bring it up with him, Victor will go over the surface imperfections and "massage" them a bit. In my case, I had him smooth out some pits I had in an upper, and he did a fine job with them.
2/17/2010 8:31:05 AM EDT
[#8]




Quoted:

Of the dozen uppers I've sent to Victor, every one has come out looking better then when it went in. I guess the anodizing hides blemishes, kind of like pancake makeup...




Anodizing does not hide blemishes.  If anything it makes them worse...  You can dip them in a solution to remove the original anodizing which will also etch the surface of the part, making it look almost bead blasted.  To get a nice even surface finish a media blasting of some sort is probably done.
2/17/2010 8:52:16 AM EDT
[#9]
I polish with 220 sandpaper

buff with 180 sponge

blast with 180 aluminum oxide



I also have Scotchbrite wheels when there is a really stubborn ding

Sometimes it's best to just quit and see what it looks like after anodizing.
2/17/2010 10:49:29 AM EDT
[#10]
Quoted:
I think I'm almost done re-profiling a 604 upper to resemble a 601 upper for my 601/607 project.
Of course I'm a couple of months away (at least) from being able to afford sending it off to Victor.
But do I need to keep sanding it smooth while I'm waiting or not?
How much sanding and smoothing is necessary before sending off to US Anodizing?
Do I need it 0000 steel wool smooth, or does Victor bead blast them so I might as well not try to get it mirror smooth?



Was wondering if you could post details of what re-profiling you did to make the 604 upper look like a 601. I'm wanting to do the same thing but not sure where to start.
Thanks in advance..

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