Buffing and Polishing

[alan ord 2Participant @alanord2]

I am setting up a polishing station in my workshop and need some guidance.

There are two types of wheel mops, stitched and unstitched. I am guessing that the unstitched is for final buffing and the stitched is for applying the polishing medium. Is this correct?

Secondly there are various types of medium for different metals / plastics, ranging from course to fine. How do you prevent residual cross contamination between course and fine mediums? Do I need a wheel for each type of medium. I bought Stan Bray's book on Grinding, Honing and Polishing WPS 41 but very limited information on polishing.

[alan ord 2Participant @alanord2]

Buffing and Polishing

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

Yes usually you use one wheel for one grade of abrasive. Usually the stiff stiched wheel on one end for the coarse abrasive medium and the unstitched softer wheel on the other end for the fine abrasive finishing polish. Wipe any residue from the first off before going on to the second.

Then final polish by hand with a soft cloth. These days I use Solvol Autosol for that. Goddards Glow used to give a better shine on aluminium but does not seem to be available in Australia these days.

Be prepared for black mess from your polishing wheels so put it off by itself somewhere, or best outside if possible.

You can buy kits with two wheels and two grades of abrasive bar and instructions, sized to fit a bench grinder.

Edited By Hopper on 30/03/2021 12:01:36

[SteviegtrParticipant @steviegtr]

I have this old home made buffing setup that i was given many years ago. Powerful & great to use. A must is a face screen or your mush will itch for days. See pictures, buffing medium is not expensive & bought from local car accessory shop. As above the wheels are different. My left one has nylon stitching through it , which gives it an abrasive effect. The right one is a cotton one for final polishing. Last pic is the bike i started doing & has been stood for the last 2 years. I must finish it.

Steve.

[David George 1Participant @davidgeorge1]

Hi Alan I set up a small polishing machine made from a small grinder from Lidl. The mops I use are from Cromwell tools as a kit . It includes three diferent grades of buffing compound and three mops for each grade. When polishing it depends on what you are polishing and the detail etc. It is a very dusty and dirty so you should be prepared for dust extraction, goggles and catching escapee parts. I quite often Finnish with Solvol Autosol metal polish to Finnish with as well. The Lidl grinder is just big enough for me for the small parts and cutlery that I polish. I had to make a new pair of wheel washers to allow them to grip the mop correctly.

David

[alan ord 2Participant @alanord2]

Thanks all for your advice. Much appreciated. Hopper / David, I hadn't thought about the black mess etc.!!! I'm sure I would have realized as soon as I started to use it. Will use a face visor in addition to a mask and have a screen behind.

Steve, are the polishing compound colours standard. I did buy a small tester set from Machine Mart and they had the same colours.

Alan.

[Pete RimmerParticipant @peterimmer30576]

The only advice I can give is – get more power! Polishing can be pretty miserable if you're constantly stalling the motor.

[James Hall 3Participant @jameshall3]

Have a look at https://www.thepolishingshop.co.uk/ – They do a very wide range of mops, compounds and chemicals of all grades, sizes and types. They also do polishing kits specific to various materials.

I've used them for years and have always been very pleased with their products and service. They are also very helpful with advice.

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

What are you planning to polish? Tiny models? Motorbike crankcases? Or even bigger? and how much/ how often? Depending on needs you might be as well off to use one of the kits like above for use in electric drill or angle grinder. That's all I have ever used for motorbike restoration work. If you plan frequent use on bigger stuff, get an 8" heavy duty grinder/polisher.

Edited By Hopper on 30/03/2021 22:25:53

[SteviegtrParticipant @steviegtr]

Posted by alan ord 2 on 30/03/2021 20:01:58:

Thanks all for your advice. Much appreciated. Hopper / David, I hadn't thought about the black mess etc.!!! I'm sure I would have realized as soon as I started to use it. Will use a face visor in addition to a mask and have a screen behind.

Steve, are the polishing compound colours standard. I did buy a small tester set from Machine Mart and they had the same colours.

Alan.

Yes different colours for different materials. If you can blow up the pic of the box, you will see a list of what the colours are for. Hang on i'll take a close up shot….

Steve.

[John MCParticipant @johnmc39344]

My polishing machine is a 1hp, 3000rpm Machine Mart electric motor mounted on an old "Wolf" grinder stand. I use 8" mops, stitched for coarse polishing, they resist pressure better than un-stitched that I use for finishing.

I like to use different mops and abrasives for different materials, works well for me.

This is a messy business, I wear a boiler suit buttoned up to the neck, a face covering over a disposable breathing mask and heavy leather gloves, things get very warm while polishing! This is a process best done outside. Even with these precautions I find that after a session I need a shower.

I'm sure some will say the breathing isn't necessary, without one and even a short polishing session, blowing ones nose will show why its a good idea!

[roy entwistleParticipant @royentwistle24699]

I have stitched and unstitched chamois leather mops. what are they for ?

Roy

[Trevor Drabble 1Participant @trevordrabble1]

I would suggest you talk with Surtech on 01213594322 . I have found them extremely helpful plus they have lots of info on their web page . No connection with company . Trevor.

[alan ord 2Participant @alanord2]

James / Trevor thanks for the contact info. Based upon what has already been mentioned I will need a couple of additional stitched wheel mops and will give them a try. Machine Mart can be very expensive.

Steve thanks for the picture, printed a copy.

Pete, I will be using a Record 200mm (8 inch) bench top grinder. I have removed the grinding wheels and guards. Rated at 500 watts and 2800 rpm. Should be OK.

Alan.

[VicParticipant @vic]

I’ve used these folks.

The Polishing Shop

Good prices, great service and lots of useful information on the website.

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