Finishing Aluminium question

[CrazyBear]

I have seen some very nice Aluminium pens on here. What type of finish do you use.

Is it sanded and then polished with a metal polish or do you use some coating like CA or epoxy.

What do you do with the brushed aluminium finish?

 

[Russb]

My aluminum was sanded then polished to a high shine with Brasso and then powder coated.

 

[Firefyter-emt]

IMHO the only thing that has a chance of standing up is powder coat. CA on wood works so well because it can soak into the wood, Lacquer chips easily because it's floating on the top (as well as being softer) Powdercoat after the blank is how you want it and the have it clear powder coated. This can still be damaged, but will hold up much longer and is a very tin finish for what it is.