Evening All.
I’m trying to polish a sliding stainless steel shaft measuring 3/4 inch diameter by about 10 inches long to a mirror finish. It’s the control shuttle of a dual diaphragm air operated trash pump, and slides lengthways in two concentric oilite bushes. The stainless rod does not appear to be hardened as I can mark it with a file.
Due to operating in a horrible environment, with an air supply that is filtered (but let’s get real) down the last remaining coal mine in the Forest of Dean, the control shaft is scratched albeit only lightly. I’ve got pretty much got all of the scratches out with 1500 grit wet or dry paper using paraffin as a wash, then used Solvol Autosol to give a polish to the surface. I can measure no discernible reduction of the nominal 3/4 inch diameter so the rod is a good sliding fit in its oilite bushes and lip seals.
But it’s not a mirror finish yet. So my question is this:
Is Brasso a finer abrasive than Autosol? What about silverdip or jeweller’s rouge? Any other suggestions such as Cif cleaner, or Diamond lapping paste – if so what ball park screen number would be approximately equivalent to the Autosol? Other suggestions please?
I look forward, as ever, to the collective expertise of the forum
Regards to all Simon