When you’re getting ready to anodise metal, it’s vital to get the surface correctly prepared for the best possible results. Here’s what you need to know.

Why Preparation Matters in Anodising

Anodising is a specialist process carried out by skilled professionals in workshops such as https://www.poeton.co.uk/surface-treatments/anodising. Before the surface treatment is applied the materials must be treated to remove any scratches, marks and debris. If this stage isn’t completed, the defects will show up on the surface of the metal. It’s important to do this carefully, because some defects can go unnoticed until the anodising process has taken place.

Considering the Desired Finish

A smooth surface with a high-gloss surface will look wonderful, but it is also likely to show up any surface defects. A matte surface will be rougher and better able to hide any problem areas. It’s important to consider the final visual effect before deciding how to prepare the surface and to what extent.

How Materials Are Treated Before Anodising

The surface either needs to be polished or etched with a friction-based process such as chemical etching. This creates a matte or glossy appearance, depending on the end goal. The surface is also cleaned via a blasting or polishing process before the anodising stage.

Surface metal treatments can be applied for a variety of end goals, and these also need to be considered when deciding the extent to which surface preparation is needed. For example, pieces that require a perfect visual and aesthetic finish will need to be carefully polished before the surface treatment is applied.