Change buffing wheel for different metals?

[MThings]

Hi all,

I know I need to change the buffing wheel when I use different compounds (don't mix compounds on a wheel), but should I be changing wheels for different metals I want to polish? IOW, can I use a sisal wheel with black compound on aluminum and on stainless steel, or will a "residue" from one metal affect how the wheel works with the other metal? Should I have a sisal wheel with black compound for aluminum and a sisal wheel with black compound for stainless?

Peter

[pickleboy]

first i dont use sisal on aluminum, i feel its to abrasive and scratches to much. as for a different wheel of the same type for each metal i do not have that. if the wheels are raked good and clean each time you make a change it should not contaminate.

[MThings]

Thank you.

Peter

[Graybills]

sisal is for steel stanless steel never for aluminum some polishers use it to cut corners but what it dose is stop the aluminum from reaching its ultimate luster

[ekernel]

Originally Posted by Graybills

sisal is for steel stanless steel never for aluminum some polishers use it to cut corners but what it dose is stop the aluminum from reaching its ultimate luster

How so?

thanks
jess

[jrow]

Graybills,

I would say it depends on the grade of aluminum your are buffing! If the aluminum is hard then a sisal wheel can be used with black compound. I sanded a Garrett turbo charger compressor housing with 600 grit wet and dry then used a sewn wheel with black wouldn't touch it. I switch to the sisal wheel and black and the luster came right up. I then switched to black on a sewn buff, SS on a sewn buff and finished with tripoli on a loose buff. Tried white on a loose buff but it left the piece all foggy. I didn't have a felt wheel to try.

John

[sofakingkool]

I'm new to polishing aluminum and I have looked at buffs and was wondering what exactly is the difference between sewn wheel and a sisal wheel They look the same to me

Thanks John

[alabama_lowlife]

a sisal wheel has some really stiff fibers in it. the sewn wheels are rather soft in comparison.