All the ways of finiishing an aluminum Hammond 1590?

[sir_modulus]

Sorry for asking a question that's been asked millions of times before, but If you guys could just list them all here, I could put it in the FAQ. Thanks a bunch.

Finishing here means painting/ or just sanding to make aluminum shiny.

[Mike Burgundy]

there's a million different ways, so a list won't be a practical idea. Most methods involve paint, proper paint procedures involve sanding/cleaning/primer/base/finish/bake (in between, too), lettering can be added under the clear finish coat, metallic paint needs a slightly different approach. Clear coating a polished pedal is a good idea, etc etc etc.
Just go to a paint specialist and ask for automotive paint and/or 2-component paint, in spraycans.
Any method suitable for finishing metal will work. Most methods suitable for other materials will work too.

[PB Wilson]

I've polished some with progressively finer grits of sandpaper, used a wire brush in a drill press to make overlapping circles and am toying with etching the top on my latest pedal. I've never been totally happy with my paint jobs so I'm looking toward other areas.

[Dave Z]

Not perfect but very nice for the effort:

1) 3M pad to taste
2) Naptha to clean (no touch after this w/o glove)
3) Metal primer (craft store)
4) Testor's ModelMaster Spray lacquer + 1 clearcoat
5) Testors enamel for lettering
6) Testor's ModelMaster clearcoat lacquer - 2 coats

[Hal]

don't forget chemical plating and anodizing!

they're ususally hard to do, but there are some "kits" out there.  Lots of information is available online, ususally in the context of car parts :-D

[sir_modulus]

What paints are good to use if you don't want to bake it. Can I put like automotive paint? Aren't those in nice colors.

Thanks Nish.

[Paul Marossy]

Hi-temp engine paint works really well from what I hear.

[Fret Wire]

If you don't want to bake, the Hammerite finishes work real nice. Pretty durable also.
http://www.rustoleum.com/Product.asp?ddf=73&frm_product_id=21&SBL=1