How to get a brushed/machined look on side covers by hand?

[polar8]

I decided that mirror polished side covers wouldn't look good on my build. I'd like to get a finish that looks like the pic below. Is it possible to do this by hand?


Thanks!

 

[johngofast]

Low grit sand paper is about the only way by hand

 

[Flugtechnik]

Yes, I did it on my engine. It doesn't show up very well in my pics though. For aluminum parts, I used 320 grit sandpaper or a scotchbrite pad. The key is that you always have to rub in the same direction to get the brush marks to look right. For round parts like that, I put my sand paper or pad down on a thick towel, then press the part down on it. I then rotate the part about it's center. That should give you concentric brush marks. Take your time.

 

[swellguy]

Scotchbrite:

 

[polar8]

Yes, I did it on my engine. It doesn't show up very well in my pics though. For aluminum parts, I used 320 grit sandpaper or a scotchbrite pad. The key is that you always have to rub in the same direction to get the brush marks to look right. For round parts like that, I put my sand paper or pad down on a thick towel, then press the part down on it. I then rotate the part about it's center. That should give you concentric brush marks. Take your time.

That's awesome! Great idea, I can't wait to try it. I have a big rubbery backing pad for some sanding discs, I might slap that on a drill and use it to hold the part down on the towel/sandpaper stack.