Simulated woodgrain for metal boxes

This instructable shows how to prepare a metal box using a buffing technique that can simulate wood grain, birdseye or other finishes. The technique gives dimension to the box that adds visual depth to the surface.

It is easy to do and allows you to create a variety of nice finishes with little extra effort.

Step 1 Items Needed

The box that I am preparing is a small cast aluminum box that typically has a rough finish in the raw. This one is similar to the Hammond 1590B.

Every aluminum box should be sanded before painting to remove the oxidized aluminum from the surface so that the paint can adhere better to the base metal.

For this type of brushed or buffed finish, I am using an abrasive wheel that mounts in a hand drill.

The red and gray wheels are similar but the latter is a finer mesh that produces a smoother finish. The material seems to be some sort of tough nylon woven fiber much like the 3M abrasive pads that are commonly available.

I bought these buffing wheels in a kit at Harbor Freight.

Comments

[glahboo_wahbooP]

Wow! You're the AMZ from Muzique.com! You've been filling my head with powerful knowledge for years now!! Thanks infinity+1!!

[glahboo_wahbooP]

What program, may I ask, did you use to generate that clear template? Do you happen to make PCB layouts with it as well? I'm trying to find the right program for these purposes. The paint job looks fantastic! I will certainly follow this technique next time. Thanks!

[craig f]

do you also seal it with clear coat?

[amz-fx]

Yes, a clear coat is a good idea since the transparent paint chips easily. regards, Jack

[-Syrus-]

What a beauty man!

Great looking stuff ! :P

[Glockenator]

i used this for a guitar killswitch and it matches my Solo guitar perfectley

[hillbillysurf]

Will the buffing technique used on the cast alum. work on metal ? Thanks

[snowpenguin]

Aluminum is metal. You knew that right?

[peterson0226atyahoo.com]

thats a pretty cool idea

[sashadalton43]

This is sooooooooo cool!

[shop dweller]

I like it. Very nice technique.

[nkw6]

Looks good but if you want to make it more convincing and happen to have a mill lying around chuck up a flycutter and play around with the autofeed. The table has to be pretty dang level but you get some sick grain effects.

[halitus87]

just fyi you wont be removing the oxide layer from aluminum, as with this type of metal it forms a coherent layer around the metal protecting the rest of it from oxidation, still sand it of course i still agree thats very important

[Tazzz]

Easy solution and looks nice. Good woodworking practice however would be to make the grain run parallel to the long side on top, not across. Also the sides grain pattern should match (an extension) of the top grain.

[Shocker]

Just a comment on the box used. The box is made by Hammond as described. In Canada, I order part 1590 not 1590B. The "1590B" stands for black with an extra cost of $2.00 and the "1590" is just bare aluminum. Great supplier online is Digi-Key at digikey.com. If I order in the morning I receive product next afternoon, usually with only about a 4-8 dollar shipping charge. I have found that paint is available from hobby shops, look for tail light paint for model cars. Shocker

[amz-fx]

1590B designates the box size (unpainted). 1590B-BK is the same box with a black finish.

Here is the manufacturer's datasheet that confirms:

http://www.hammondmfg.com/pdf/1590B.pdf

Thanks for the tip on the paint!

regards, Jack

[technodude92]

Awesome finishing technique. if i ever get around to making something that i can put in a box. fav'd and (+)

[rotter]

Pretty cool finish effects. Would be interesting to do a woodgrain finish on a bike.

[GorillazMiko]

This is actually a really awesome Instructable. Looks just awesome, awesome, this just deserves a +1 rating.

[sysadmn]

I found some "Contact" brand adhesive vinyl at an Office Supply Store that looks just like brushed stainless steel. It works great on flat surfaces (even boxes and round hat boxes) but you have to work slowly and not create bubbles. They also had faux suede (looks like a sanded brown paper bag, and feels great) and a slick white "make your own whiteboard". I used the whiteboard cover on my cubicle's bookshelf covers for an instant whiteboard.

Here's the info from the label:
Kittrich Magic Cover Faux Metal Stainless
The closest I could find was
http://www.kittrich.com/MC/Regular/adhesive_woods.htm

Looks like Kittrich owns the Contact brand, but this product is discontinued.

[Frank in Virginia]

Nice job on the Instructable! I like the flexibility of your buffing and brushing techniques; if you don't like the look, keep on going. Thanks for posting. BTW have you tried your techniques on plastic boxes?

[TheScientist]

do you need to clearcoat to help protect the surface? or is it good enough as-is?

[amz-fx]

I would definitely put a clearcoat on it. The buffed grain pattern is very tough but the transparent paints seem to chip somewhat easily.

[amz-fx]

Here is an image of wood grain produced with an entirely different technique than the one in my instructable.

http://www.muzique.com/tmp/goldtop2.jpg

There is no buffing with this method and the grain effect is much different. This is strictly a paint effect.

[Ohm]

That is just an awesome idea, I might have to disassemble a few of my pedals and refinish them, I think my Phase 45 clone would look good in the green, don't know way but I have always imagined it to be green? Thanks for sharing the technique.

[Geordiepom]

What a great idea. So far I've only managed to find tiny quantities of transparent paint from air-brush suppliers. If any fellow Aussies know where I can get something similar to the stuff used here, please let me know.

[richms]

Same if anyone knows where to get something similar in NZ too thanks. I was going to paint my nixie clock base matte black, but this is a much much better option.

[darkmuskrat]

Lol, i was looking at how i could make a wood box look metal but this kicks ass too. definably +1

[razor1000]

Where'd you get the box itself? Is it hand-made or can you purchase them somewhere? I'm working on a project that needs a nice box and I don't want to put into a crappy plastic radio shack box.

[amz-fx]

The box is a Hammond 1590B and is available at Mouser.com or Smallbearelec.com

[conceptualstratagem]

Thanks for sharing this, it will definitely help tinkerers give their projects a finished quality. Great first instructable +faved

[John Smith]

Simply AWESOME. A+. Favorited.

[its a lion]

This is great. I love the flamed and quilted look of the last two pictures. What type of pedal is it?

[matseng]

Looks great. I'll see if I can find the Krylon-X paints here also.

[mrmath]

So the grain patter is the buffed part, and the wood color is just two coats of "transparent" paint. Amzaing. In the pictures on this page I would have sworn it was wood.

[amz-fx]

Exactly. By applying more coats of the transparent red, you can darken the color but with one yellow and one red coat, it is a warm mahogany. Check the last page for the bookmatched look. regards, Jack