Newbie here, please help with compound application

[BOTLROKIT93]

Hey guys, i have a question... what is the best way to apply the polishing coumpound to the buffing wheel? using black compound on one wheel, and green on the other, polishing stainless steel sheet stock with a 1/3 hp bench grinder (modified to polish) any help will be appreciated.

[berad001]

Originally Posted by BOTLROKIT93

Hey guys, i have a question... what is the best way to apply the polishing coumpound to the buffing wheel? using black compound on one wheel, and green on the other, polishing stainless steel sheet stock with a 1/3 hp bench grinder (modified to polish) any help will be appreciated.

I'm no expert, but never mix compounds, and stainless is a really hard metal to work with in my experience, so don't slack on your sanding stage. I use a 1/2HP buffer for stainless work and it is a little underpowered, I just ordered the 3/4hp buffing machine, hoping that makes the difference I'm looking for.

[BOTLROKIT93]

Thanks for your input. could you please tell me how you are doing you "pre-polishing" treatment? (sanding stage) i'm polishing 12-14ga. type 304 stainless laser cut parts. (good, scratch free material) whats the best grit of sandpaper to start with, and which grits should i work through? thanks again!

well first off read the how to buff section there are alot of good tips on there ... and every compound has it own wheel if you cross over you will get bad results and as for prep you work look's as good as your pep.. sand from 80-1000 then go to the compounds .. black on sisal ( i use black on sprial) brown on sprial white on loose then if you want red on a loose ... if you want after sanding to 1000 start with white on a sprial then if is is not looking good go to black on sisal and work from there.. clean after each compound with thinner brake cleaner kero. gas what ever you happen to have .. hot soapy water works just as good ... when you are happy with the polishing results coat with a high grade carnuba wax not the cheap stuff like turtle wax the cheap stuff has water in it and all it dose is smare.. not you can zoop it and that will last a year ..

now for straight stock... don't sand if you don't have to you can start off polishing it with white ... i sand all new stock with 1000 and go to polishing but like i said above the better the prep the better the item looks ....

[BOTLROKIT93]

THANKS. i see what you mean about prep. the sisal wheel seems to ADD more straight line scratches than it removes! i can't seem to get this. i am polishing straight stock, but if i try to polish w/o sanding at all it will shine but still have the metal's natual "mill finish" (slight bumpiness to it) thanks again for the advice, i'll keep at it.