Hi, I am new in this forum. Have a question to ask and have used search function but answers don't fit my question. The question here is, How to keep a sandblasted ti in good comsetic condition? Even theres a scratch on it, can i remove it just like using scortch brite on brushed ti? Heard that sandblasted ti turns dull over years, anyway to prevent or counter this problem? Is there a way to turn sandblasted ti to brushed ti myself?
Thanks,
Yangster

It's not really a "sandblasted" finish, it's bead blasted (I assume glass beads). Scotchbrite pads are recommended to keep a brushed finish in repair but a blasted finish is somewhat coarser and a Scotchbrite pad will leave a different texture where it's used. In fact, Scotchbrite pads and A LOT of elbow grease can make a blasted finish into a brushed finish. A friend of mine did that to his older Litespeed and the new finish looks factory.

Ti doesn't turn any darker over the years no matter what the original finish. If it gets darker, that's just dirt accumulation. A good automotive cleaner/wax will restore it to looking like new.

Is sandblasted/bead blasted finishing easy to get scratch? If theres a scratch on it, theres no way to remove it?

The finish isn't real fragile but it can be scratched if you are harsh enough. You can rub it out with the Scotchbrite but the area won't match the rest of the frame.

Don't worry too much about it. I have a Litespeed with the bead blasted finish that's 12 years and 70,000 miles old. It has a few buffed up places that are a bit shiny but most of the finish is original.

will those shoe rub or cable rub show against the blasted finishing?

is it able to just use scrotch brite and brush a brushed finishing from a sandblasted finishing?
anyone have tried this b4? without using anything else except a scortch brite?

Yes

Yes. Read my first posting. It's a lot of work but it can, and has, been done.

BTW, have new decals available or plan on an anonymous frame when you are finished.

Why all the questions? Ti is tough stuff (I own a ti bike). Just enjoy riding the bike and don't fret so much.

i am a careless rider tend to get scratched on my bike everywhere.. and i like nice ti finishing.. and have ordered a satin ti.. very afraid i would scratch it.

the sky is falling!
the sky is falling!

Two possibilities:

1. Be less careless.

or

2. Accept that the bike will get scratched.

I didn't like the raw satin finish on my Litespeed so I took a fine metal brush on a drill and spent about an hour on this frame to give it a bright brushed look. Any scratches can easily be touched up by doing the same.

Please note that Scotch Brite comes in several different flavors and different flavors are used by different Manufacturers. Typical green will give a more brushed appearance and gray will result in a finer finish.

so if i want a brushed appearance, i just have to use the green scotch brite and start rubbing away? Any movements of brushing to take note of?

Y, consider waiting for at least some days or weeks before trying to change the finish (or anything else) on your new bike. You might run into a warranty problem, or you might even decide you like the current finish!

Yea, i would use the current finishing till it actually get scratched then i will brush it to a brushed finishing.

Ti takes anodization, right? Have in annoed clear.

I mean, I think you're speculating about something that you probably won't care about when it's actually happening. Real world objects look like real world objects. How cool would the Millennium Falcon have been if it was all shiny?

None cool.

I just realized this morning while sipping coffee that my stainless steel coffee mug has an almost identical finish to my brushed ti frame.

will it be easy to brush a satin ti into a brushed ti using a scotch brite?
What is the few things to take note of?