Aluminum Finishes with Movement
This article further explores the use of printed resist in aluminum finish development. The printed resist process is used as a mask to protect areas of metal during the brushing process. I will expand on the previous article explaining the resist process and will focus on aluminum finishes featuring two brush directions.
Two Direction Brush on Aluminum
The use of an additional resist allows you to add a second brushed detail to your finish. Registration between operations is tightly controlled during the screen printing process. The basic process is listed here:
- bright aluminum - a polished surface from the mill
- resist - a screen printed mask for protection
- brush - mechanically abrade the surface of the metal (horizontal)
- wash - remove the resist or mask
- resist - a screen printed mask for protection
- brush - mechanically abrade the surface of the metal (vertical)
- wash - remove the resist or mask
- color - print overall or selective color
The finishes shown here rely on a horizontal and vertical brush. The angle of the brush can be adjusted creating the desired effect. The brushing process is the first step in building aluminum finishes. You add layers of color and texture to create further detail and depth. The possibilities are limited only by your imagination. Change the overall gloss of the finish and you change the look and feel of the surface.
What ideas do you have for incorporating movement into your aluminum trim or nameplate with multiple brush directions? Would you use brushing to add depth to a carbon fiber finish? Or would you use it to create a patinaed metal look?
Request samples of these finishes to see the detail in the brushed and bright aluminum.
