Finish sanding/ cleaning aluminum after job is done?

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What do people do to their ally jobs after they finish all the welding and fab work?For example I am making an aluminum rack and have all the stainless brush scratch marks around all the welds.  The rack is made from 25x38mm RHS.  If I grind an area I then hit it with an 80 grit DA sanding disc.  Has anyone tried a finer grit sanding paper to get a better cleaner/smoother finisha all over.I don't mean to poish it all up , but to make it look all nice and tidy but getting out random scratches in the work etc.What does every one else do?
Reply:I've been using 100-120 grit on my DA, then scotchbrite by hand, then Neverdull polish.I'm going to try even finer grit on my next project to cut down on the hand rubbing.My name's not Jim....
Reply:I've been thinking of some sort of media blast finish.In the past I have done progressively finer sand paper all the way to 400 grit before polishing on the buffer wheel.  It's a real pain.
Reply:I do different finishes for different jobs, some polished, some brushed, some just left how they are.
Reply:Here is the 'signature' satin aluminum finish for The Aerodrome Studio, my artistic metalworking studio...- deburr all the edges and rivet holes with a 3M Roloc Surface Conditioning disc (the blue one).- Get any deep fabrication scratches out with a red disc (using isopropyl alcohol...rubbing alcohol...with the disc.- Go over the entire project with a blue disc and isopropyl alcohol.- Go over the entire project with a gray 3M Scotchbrite pad by hand, rubbing in the same direction.- Flush all the black oxidized aluminum off the piece with running water and clean off with a paper towel.- Clean the entire assembled project with isopropyl alcohol and a clean paper towel (also good for getting fingerprints off aluminum).Pics...Projects with this finish:A double-camera bracket...All of my Custom Tool Boards...The custom centerpiece I made for my shop fan...Corner plates and rails for my Reconfigurable Tool Rack...The Aero Guitar Stand...KevKevin / Machine_Punk from The Aerodrome Studio - Lincoln PowerMIG 210 MP - Meco N Midget w/custom welding station - Vintage Victor 100Current Projects: The Aerodrome Studio
Reply:You do some mighty fine work there machine punk! I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:Why thank you!  I don't want to hijack this thread, though...so, if anyone wants to see more of what I do, he or she can go to my main thread in my signature, or head over to my blog, at:TheAerodromeStudio.com/WordpressI just wanted to give a few examples of the surface finish I use most in the 'Studio.KevKevin / Machine_Punk from The Aerodrome Studio - Lincoln PowerMIG 210 MP - Meco N Midget w/custom welding station - Vintage Victor 100Current Projects: The Aerodrome Studio
Reply:This is a doing nothing finish, just peal the plastic off and weld:Black powder coat with 600g sanded pipes:Machined weld:scotch bright pad:Lots of other finishes as well but can't seem to find the pics of them right now.Last edited by VPT; 01-27-2013 at 12:06 PM.
Reply:ended up using the 80grit sander then a green scotchbrite pad.  looks all uniform now.  gee it hammers the green scotchbrite scourers though.