I am preparing a mandrell that has two ends that I will put buffing wheels on. Can people give me suggestions on how to go about using the set up after I get it going. I see this red paste that is used to put on the wheels to polish with. Also, any suggestion for working sanding scratches out?? Thanks, Terry
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Re: Recomendations on polishing stainless steel??
Terry,
The red paste is probably red rouge and is usually used for polishing softer metals like gold or silver. You will need something more aggressive for stainless. Your sanding scratches will need to be no more coarse than about 400 grit. You will then need several different grades of buffing compounds and wheels. I use emery to get the sanding scratches out, then stainless compound to buff the part, followed by white rouge for final polishing. There are kits sold by places like Eastwood with all of the buffing wheels and compounds.
Don Terry -
Re: Recomendations on polishing stainless steel??
Here's what you need.
Good luck with your project!
Buffing KitComment
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Re: Recomendations on polishing stainless steel??
Thanks for taking the time to look that up. Any recomendations on wheel speed. My motor tuns at about 1725 rpm but I am cutting the speed down a bit by using a larger pulley on the mandrel. I figure if it turns too fast it will splatter that buffing compound all over the place. I will probably just have to see what happens and experiement a bit. Haven't worked on the car in a while. Need to get started now that I have nice weather and nothing in front of me.
Thank you again, TerryComment
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Re: Recomendations on polishing stainless steel??
Terry,
1725 is too slow for stainless. My buffer runs at 3600 RPM, and that's a good speed for metal polishing. You want to use the compounds sparingly otherwise they will splatter. If you've never buffed before, you may want to pick up an instructional video. Also, there are some important safety issues that should be covered in any buffing video. Buffing is not very difficult, but there is a bit of a learning curve, and you need the proper equipment. You will want to practice with some scrap stainless until you get the hang of it.
Good Luck!Comment
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Re: Recomendations on polishing stainless steel??
Forgot the link. I haven't seen this video but I'm sure it would cover the basics including equipment and safety.
Buffing VideoComment
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Re: Recomendations on polishing stainless steel??
Terry,
Don's given good advice. I bought a $69 bench model buffer from Harbor Freight 2 years ago and buffed many, many parts without a problem using it. I also provided another link to where I buy my buffing supplies below.
You can remove scratches with progressive grits of sandpaper. For really ugly scratches you can start with 220 grit but you will want to finish up with at least 400 grit before you buff.
I start with gray "fast cut" grade of buffing compound and color buff with the "white lightning" grade.
Use leather gloves to prevent cuts and burns from the heat generated from buffing.
Most trim piece are flash chromed from the factory, so you will need to strip this first. I use a 5 minute bath in muratic acid for this.
I send my stuff to Rick Applegate at Areba Chrome for flash chroming when the buffing is all done.
good luck,
tc
Caswekk buffing suppliesComment
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Re: Recomendations on polishing stainless steel??
Terry: Highly recommend Jeff Lilly's Book "How to Restore Metal Auto Trim".
Lots of valuable insights and tips. MikeComment
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Re: Recomendations on polishing stainless steel??
Sounds like a must have item. On my 68, I am wondering if the stainless is flash chromed or not. How can I tell. I have some NOS trim stuff that will be going on the car to replace any real bad stuff. I will just touch it up a bit. Some of my other stuff is a little dull. There are some pieces that look like they got hit a bit with a sander. Those will take a little work. Appreciate your opinions and assistance. I will have to change a pulley to get that RPM up. I am all for safty. I don't need to have any more health problems. I suspect there are particles that get inhaled if you don't wear a mask. I have a mask that should word fine. TerryComment
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Re: Recomendations on polishing stainless steel??
Thanks for the link. How can you tell if an item was flash chromed? Any suggestions? I am working on my 68. Looks like plain stailess to me. Any chance you could glance at your buffer and tell me how fast it spins and what size wheels you are using? Thanks, TerryComment
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Re: Recomendations on polishing stainless steel??
Don, what size buffing wheels do you use? Thanks, TerryComment
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Re: Recomendations on polishing stainless steel??
Details on the buffer at the link below (appears to be on sale now). I use 8" wheels and usually double them up so I have a 1" wide buffing surface.
tc
Harbor Freight bufferComment
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Re: Recomendations on polishing stainless steel??
Terry use a 2:1 pulley ratio (lager pulley on the motor) Polishing stainless in quite time consuming so do not get discouraged when you do not immediately see the results that you want. Everyone has given you sound advice. Be very careful with thin pieces, if you force them into the buffer too aggressively, they can bend. Also have a firm grip on the piece being buffed, you can not duck as fast as it will throw items at you.Dick WhittingtonComment
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Re: Recomendations on polishing stainless steel??
I'll post a picture later tonight when at home that illustrates the difference between flash chrome and bare stainless. To determine if your parts are flash chrome, just dip one end in muratic acid for 5 - 10 minutes and then rinse it off.
Hold the piece in the shade and look for a color change. Stainless alone has a faint yellowish tint that will be noticable when next to a flash chromed finish.
BTW, If they are flash chromed, they are hard to buff up nice. Chrome is very hard but very thin (.0002 - .0003 inch). You will get spotty results when areas of the chrome are removed by buffing.
tcComment
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Re: Recomendations on polishing stainless steel??
I am starting to think that it might all be flash chromed but who knows. Is it very expensive to have it flash chromed compared to conventional stuff like bumpers, etc?
Thanks for all your advice. TerryComment
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