Facts About Our
Pneumatic Airmark Surfacing Tools ^TM

High performance Air Tools require Quality air, to insure longevity and avoid major cost to overhaul. It is a must to filter air of foreign matters, regulate air flow at 90/95 PSI, to lubricate tool with an air line mist of quality air tool oil at one (1) drop per minute.

Most important, is DRY AIR. Moisture caused by the air being hot from the compressor pump going into cool air lines, generate moisture. In turn the water causes rust plus friction against the blades to cylinder walls, destroying the power unit. Once water in the air flows through the unit exhausted via the drum, the water goes into the Bearing sleeves and bearings, causing damage.

Our Tools have long reliable records in use, over 30 years in Aviation.

Remember to clean your Air up, to avoid Warranty problems.

“What is - CLAD?”

Cladding is a process of metallurgically bonding a thin layer of pure aluminum to the core alloy. The Clad liner is used to improve the corrosion resistance of the core alloy by providing electrochemical protection. The pure aluminum which has a higher electrochemical potential than the core alloy will serve as a sacrificial anode protecting the inner metal. The Clad can also, “throw” its power of protection over areas that have no cladding such as around rivet holes and exposed edges of metals.

Information collected over the years from manufacturers and users has shown that aluminum structures will provide reliable service for periods in excess of 30 years. The factor which assures the long life of aluminum is its self forming microscopically thin surface layer of aluminum oxide. This layer is so thin that it is measured in angstrom units (1 angstrom unit 1/100,000,000 centimeter, or about four billionths of an inch). The air-formed film on new aluminum surfaces is about 25 angstrom units thick, while the film on aluminum that is several years old may be 100 or more angstrom units thick.

The film is composed of two parts: a thin, inner barrier layer and a much thicker bulk outer layer which is more permeable than the inner barrier layer. Chemically, the film is a hydrated form of aluminum oxide, having a chemical formula A12O3 . 3H2O.

This growth is very high when the film is first formed. However, the rate slows down rapidly and after five years is still growing, but at a much slower rate. As the film becomes thicker, it slowly darkens and after many years, takes on a “dull gray” appearance. The film also provides better protection to the core alloy as it thickens.

The rate of film formation is greatly affected by the environment. Increased temperatures accelerate oxide formation, as does the presence of moisture, especially higher concentrations.

Aircraft are well protected from corrosion due to the thicker oxide film. However, the appearance is somewhat poorer than that of new of recently polished aluminum. Oftentimes chemical brightners are used to remove oxide films before polishing to preclude its removal by mechanical polishing. Clad, being very soft in nature, is subject to being easily damaged during manufacturing and while in service. Extreme caution must be exercised while polishing or cleaning, since it is sensitive to harsh chemicals and abrasive materials.

Polishing as applied to metal finishing - means; ‘a flexible, resilient grinding operation. Removal, smoothing or leveling of surface imperfections, such as pits, scratches, lines, marks, tool/tooling marks and stains’.

Buffing means: ‘production of smooth, bright, reflective, scratch-free surface.’

Drum Polishers are the ONLY way to Polish mechanically. Airmark Surfacing Tools™ non-destructive Polishing and Buffing. Little to no heat is generated to surface. Air Driven Motors are exhausted into Drum, which cools the buff, while the rotation spin also pulls air into the Buff Pads. Variable Throttle control enable the operator to Cut (Polish) at high rpm, and Color (Buff) at very slow rpm. The AH-8 and the AH-13 Belly Buffer have a 7 ¼ inch long Drum. This length enables a wide uniform Polishing movement.

Cutting (Polish); to cut surfaces, push or pull movement of Polisher against spin rotation.

Coloring (Buffing); Movement of Polisher with spin rotation.

Boeing Certified D-6, “What is Skin Quality?”; A product having a uniform level of Color, Brightness and Reflectivity over the entire surface. The Drum Buffer follows the grain in the skin which shall put the exterior of the skin back to its original intended appearance.

Oscillating Dual Headed or Single Head , these machines use the oscillating action to scratch the surface to generate a shine. Look at the buff pad after doing a 4 x 4 area, is it silver? Material removal! Get a magnifying glass and look at the surface - see the lines from thousands of misdirection scratches?

In Aviation, testing has been performed to determine ‘Clad’ removal from Aluminum. Long story short - since man was able to make something spin, he has used the method to Polish.

Through the use of Airmark Surfacing Tools™, you are able to uniformly Polish without removing metal or Paint.

Are you interested in, “Cladded” surfaces on Aluminum? Then check this out.

“TECHNOLOGY THAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE”^™