I'm welding aluminum and instead of getting a smooth bead, the bead has a slight rough texture. I have my gas turned up to 25 and I'm using a gas lense. I always clean the metal before welding as well. I wanted to see if anyone has input on what's going on Thanks!

<a href="http://www.liveimagegallery.com/Personal-Photos/Welding/n-tq5CFr/i-m4pNZHN/A"><img src="http://www.liveimagegallery.com/photos/i-m4pNZHN/0/L/i-m4pNZHN-L.jpg" alt=""></a>

 

Have you tried lowering the cfm?

It may be cooling the puddle too much

 

You are letting off the peddle to fast at the end of your weld.

 

I'll try that out tomorrow.

 

Yeah, I know. The dimple creates a cracking point, right?

 

It's due to overheating the material with using 4043 filler wire.
Generally your first pass will look good and after that they will look like this unless you let it cool.
Or switch to a 5356 filler and you won't have this issue