OMG! Frustration..Fun...who knows...

[Slypknot]

Alright, so I decided to try my hand at polishing.. Read all the FAQs, but most of the right equipment..and I'm off. Sanding a small piece off my sportbike (removed anodizing with OC).

First thing I run into - when applying too much emery (which I'm sure happens to most when first starting out) it leaves a black residue on the part... this is a NIGHTMARE to get off as it heats up and gets into all the nooks and crannies..basically it's back to sanding for me.

How do you remove 'too much' compound from a sewn buff? I tried the screw driver and a sharp box cutter blade on the edge of the buff to 'clean' it...but it doesn't seem to remove the excess emory. Is there something else I can do or just let it run it's course?

Next fun part - After reading quite a bit I found that emory can be used pretty much out of the gate, or close after sanding with 220 grit. The emory seems to be a 'sanding' agent and cuts at around 600 from what I've learned.... SO - if I start cutting with the black and after about 20 minutes find that it's leaving long scratches in my metal - what's wrong? It's weird too because this didn't start until I replaced the buff. The old one was all black (4 inch, still fluffy) but I figured, what the hell and put on a new 6 inch one. After putting this new one on it didn't do half the job of the 4 inch as far as shining up the metal and seems to have deeply cut it...

So needless to say I've learned that this sport is pretty much all about sanding...so that's what I'm back to.

[Josh]

I have currenty had the same problems as you. For some useful info check out the replies to Frame frustrations on the metal polishing board.

[ghiggs]

I use a hacksaw blade to clean off the wheel 18 tooth.
I find it works best when it is in the hacksaw handle too.

[mcaswell]

You MUST keep the wheels clean. As well as getting gummed up with compound, used buffs contain fine pieces of the metal you are polishing and will leave scratches in your part.

The 6" buff probably didn't do as good a job because your RPM's are too low. A 4" buff will spin faster than a 6" buff, therefore working more efficiently.

Read our How to Buff and Polish Booklet at http://www.caswellplating.com/buffman.htm

[Slypknot]

Thanks folks...

I kinda figured out what in the world was going wrong... Apparently this Sears buffer/polisher has 2 speeds...press the trigger a little and it's low, press it all the way and it's high...

Mr. Dummy for a day was only pressing it in a little and locking it, so the rpm's were way low (especially with a 6inch buff)... I realized this last night and am getting the right results with much less effort!

Thanks!

[pickleboy]

A 4" buff will spin faster than a 6" buff, therefore working more efficiently.

the smaller will spin slower than the larger in terms of surface feet per minute. the actual spindle rpm is the same regardless.