Alternative to Bright Dip Anodizing Trim

mopowers said
Thanks for the input guys. I'm not worried about achieving a perfect shine. I'm really just wanting to see what options are out there for protecting the polished bare aluminum so I don't have to polish it often. Has anyone tried Sharkhide or similar products?

Would a regular automotive-grade clear urethane work? I figured it would be tough getting it to properly adhere to polished aluminum

Thanks for the input. I'm not quite sure what you're saying though. Are you saying that if having the trim clear anodized (not bright dipped), the polished trim has to be dulled down slightly prior to anodizing?

That does seem like a good deal. A buffing wheel on my bench grinder seems to work fine for me.

sorry for the confusion. For me it's all one process due to being in that manufacturing setting for so long. Bright dipping gives it it's shine and anodizing adds the corrosion protection after it is dipped. If you dull it down evenly and then polish it you would not have to remove the bright dip coating. (unless the piece was not properly anodized after the dipping which has caused defects in the bright dip finish). If that has happened you can strip the finish and polish the aluminum. If the extruder used an inferior grade aluminum rather than the 1000 grade your results will not be nearly as good.