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Hoffman Amps Forum image Author Topic: How to Age a Shiny Aluminum Chassis  (Read 5489 times)

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Offline scstill

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How to Age a Shiny Aluminum Chassis
« on: November 10, 2020, 07:55:07 pm »
I have a Hammond aluminum chassis that is going inside a vintage cabinet.
I am looking for thoughts on how to age the chassis so that it looks vintage.

Offline SILVERGUN

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Re: How to Age a Shiny Aluminum Chassis
« Reply #1 on: November 11, 2020, 02:43:57 pm »
Marry it.
It'll put on some extra weight, stop caring about how it looks, and age 10X faster.

Another upside is that if you accumulate a pile of stuff, eventually it will take half.

OR:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CUM9QiKl2o&feature=emb_logo

Offline scstill

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Re: How to Age a Shiny Aluminum Chassis
« Reply #2 on: November 11, 2020, 04:34:23 pm »
Marry it.
It'll put on some extra weight, stop caring about how it looks, and age 10X faster.

Another upside is that if you accumulate a pile of stuff, eventually it will take half.

OR:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CUM9QiKl2o&feature=emb_logo

the youtube video is for drywall, is that intended?

Offline bmccowan

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Re: How to Age a Shiny Aluminum Chassis
« Reply #3 on: November 11, 2020, 05:12:39 pm »
Mac
“To my surprise, when I opened my eyes, I was the victim of a great compromise.”
John Prine

Offline ShoemanGB

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Re: How to Age a Shiny Aluminum Chassis
« Reply #4 on: November 11, 2020, 05:14:03 pm »
Silvergun, that was hilarious.   Aging Alu is tough.  You can try all the standard washes/soaks like vinegar, mustard, bleach, lemon juice, etc.  I've experimented with lots of methods having built knives, a flintlock musket and effects pedals.  Muriatic acid will work but you'll need to experiment a lot.  It's mean stuff.  Ferric Chloride is reliable and controllable.  Brush or rub it on, let it sit for a short bit and rinse.  Repeat as needed.  Interesting project for sure. 

Offline shooter

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Re: How to Age a Shiny Aluminum Chassis
« Reply #5 on: November 11, 2020, 05:37:03 pm »
just heard on radio Michigan man took some leftovers out, threw in the micro-wave, wasn't bright enough to realize that aluminum wrapped food n microwave oven don't mix, no humans damaged, excessive property damage  :BangHead:
I'm pretty sure I know how he voted  :icon_biggrin:


I've used propane torch, muriatic n a few others, gave up and glued copper foil to the aluminum, then aged the copper


Went Class C for efficiency

Offline SILVERGUN

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Re: How to Age a Shiny Aluminum Chassis
« Reply #6 on: November 12, 2020, 07:31:03 am »
the youtube video is for drywall, is that intended?
No, it should link to this:
&feature=emb_logo

Offline scstill

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Re: How to Age a Shiny Aluminum Chassis
« Reply #7 on: November 12, 2020, 08:17:11 am »
the youtube video is for drywall, is that intended?
No, it should link to this:

Thats a better explanation thanks. But not the look I am going for. trying to just get a uniform dull matte look. Like a guitar amp chassis that has been sitting inside the cabinet for 50years. I have successfully used vinegar and vinegar vapor to dull ferrous metals, but its not working on the aluminum. I used acetone to try to remove the hammond factory finish. Still no luck.

Offline scstill

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Re: How to Age a Shiny Aluminum Chassis
« Reply #8 on: December 23, 2020, 03:02:18 pm »
Tried bleach (turned brownish), tried vinegar (did nothing);
I ended up using an orbital sander with 3000 added a nice aged look
but shows fingerprints. nothing really gave the old chassis look
Next Time just going to leave it be....
Now its time to build it

 


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