Polished Aluminium: Benefits, Uses and Types

Polished aluminium refers to aluminium that’s been through a refining process to achieve a smooth and glossy finish on the surface of the metal.

Abrasives, polishing compounds and mechanical techniques are used to remove imperfections, scratches and oxidation from the surface, achieving the final polished appearance.

Why is polished aluminium so popular? There are a variety of benefits to polishing aluminium for your projects...

Aesthetics

With its stylish, shiny appearance, polished aluminium looks fantastic. This makes it a popular choice for any applications where the aluminium surface will be visible – for example, on automobiles.

Corrosion resistance

Aluminium naturally forms a thin oxide layer on its surface to provide a level of corrosion resistance. Whilst the process of polishing aluminium removes this oxide layer, it creates a smooth, sealed surface that can actually help to increase its resistance to corrosion and environmental elements.

Easy maintenance

Polished aluminium is relatively easy to maintain. It can be cleaned simply with mild soap and water or non-abrasive cleaners. The smooth surface reduces the adhesion of dirt, making it easier to clean compared to more textured or rough surfaces.

Light reflectivity

Polished aluminium has excellent light reflectivity properties. It can efficiently reflect light and create a bright and luminous effect. This makes it useful for applications where light reflection is desired, such as decorative pieces, lighting fixtures, and automotive trim.

For projects that require an especially shiny surface, polished aluminium can be given a mirror polish finish.

Lightweight

Aluminium is a very lightweight material. This makes it particularly useful for projects where weight reduction is important. That includes applications in the automotive and aerospace industries.

Versatility

Aluminium can be shaped, molded and fabricated into various forms. This makes it suitable for a wide range of applications – including architectural elements, automotive parts, consumer electronics, furniture, household items and more.

Recyclability

Another great benefit of aluminium is that it can be recycled without losing its inherent properties. It’s easy to recycle or reuse, making it an environmentally friendly choice.

Thanks to its stylish appearance and easy-clean surface, there are many applications for polished aluminium. Here are just some of the industries where polished aluminium is used…

Automotive

Polished aluminium is often used in automotive applications for decorative trim, grilles, wheels, and exhaust tips. It adds a sleek and luxurious look to vehicles, enhancing their overall appearance.

Architecture and Construction

With its reflective surface, polished aluminium can create a visually striking effect and contribute to modern architectural designs. It’s frequently utilised in architectural and construction projects for exterior cladding, roofing, window frames, handrails, and decorative elements.

Furniture and Décor

Popular for furniture and decorative pieces, polished aluminium is used in the creation of tables, chairs, frames, sculptures, and more. It adds a contemporary and stylish touch to interior and outdoor spaces.

Lighting

Polished aluminium is commonly used in lighting fixtures, such as pendant lights, chandeliers, and lamps. Its reflective properties help to distribute and enhance the light output, creating an attractive lighting effect.

Consumer Electronics

Polished aluminium is utilised in the manufacturing of consumer electronics, including smartphones, laptops, speakers, and audio equipment. The stylish aesthetic of polished aluminium gives these devices a premium look.

Household Items

You’ll also find polished aluminium in various household items, including bathroom fittings and mirrors. It combines functionality with an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

Marine Industry

The corrosion resistance and lightweight properties of polished aluminium make it suitable for marine applications. It’s used in the marine industry for boat and yacht fittings, handrails, portholes, and other decorative elements.

Signage and Displays

Polished aluminium is employed in signage and displays for its reflective qualities, making it highly visible and eye-catching. It’s commonly used for shopfront signs, trade show displays, and promotional boards.

Art and Sculpture

Due to its malleability and reflective surface, polished aluminium is a favoured material for artists and sculptors. It allows for the creation of captivating art pieces with unique light interactions.

Polishing aluminium isn’t always as simple as it sounds. It involves multiple steps, which are outlined below:

Cleaning

First, the aluminium surface needs to be prepared using regular washing-up liquid, a mixture of water and vinegar, or a suitable solvent like degreaser or paint thinner. Cleaning with a soft rag or sponge removes any oil or grease before the aluminium is rinsed and dried with a microfibre cloth.

Sanding

Sanding removes any blemishes on the surface of the aluminium. It starts with rough grade sandpaper, moving up towards finer options until the surface is as required.

Compound polishing

Next, polishing compounds – creams, liquids or pastes – are used to make the aluminium even smoother. These include cerium oxide and aluminium oxide, applied using circular motions.

Mechanical polishing

Mechanical polishing is often used to achieve a higher shine. It comprises a buffing machine or polishing wheel, with aluminium pressed against the latter – often with a polishing compound as an aid.

Finishing

Finally, aluminium has to be cleaned to remove polishing compound residues. Rinsing and thoroughly drying or using a clean cloth are both suitable methods.

DIY polishing is possible for aluminium. However, there are a few key differences between professional polishing and doing it by hand.

Firstly, professional suppliers have specialist equipment and machinery, allowing them to polish aluminium at a large scale. In contrast, DIY jobs will obviously require more time and effort.

Experienced metal suppliers also have a wealth of knowledge about the different applications, alloys and finishes. At home, you may have to spend a bit more time researching these factors and take a trial-and-error approach.

All that said, DIY polishing can provide decent results for personal use or smaller projects. It’s advisable to practise on scrap aluminium or non-decorative surfaces to improve your technique before moving onto more important aluminium surfaces or pieces.

There’s not just one option available when it comes to polished aluminium. The most common types are brushed, bright and mirror polish. Bright polished aluminium features a highly smooth finish with a bright, shiny surface.

Alternatively, there’s also the option for brushed polished aluminium, which features a grainy, textured surface. This is suitable for a variety of applications, including kitchen splashbacks.

Whilst both of these polishes are highly light reflective, they don’t provide a mirror effect. For this, you’ll need a mirror polish. With this option, the metal is linished to remove marks and blemishes from the surface of the metal. By buffing the metal with compounds, the finish is refined until it provides a suitable level of reflectivity.