Dumb question of the day: Read here

[Cub]

Ok, here we go. I just received my drill buffing kit and am surprised at the value (very good). I have never buffed using the different bars of abrasive compound so here comes the question: The bar is hard/chaulky and how do I get it to the buffing wheels? Add water? I've seen pics of spreading the compounds but always thought they were soft. I've been buffing using paste type compounds so this is new to me.

[Tng21]

not sure i know what you mean as in hard chalky but normally on polishing compound the best way is to spin up the motor, then turn it off and hold the bar against the wheel till it stops, the flick the motor or dill on again and turn it off again and hold the bar against the wheel again and so on.

That is if these bars you have are anything like the compound im talking about as my bars arent chalky.

Anyone know if this fella has different stuff to what im on about?

[UncleJimmi]

Tuch the bar compound to the spinning buff only for a second or 2
the compound will only last on the wheel for one minute or so
Just dab the bar, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff,

Then switch compound and, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff, dab, buff,

Welcome to the wonderful world of polishing

[Tng21]

lol youll put him off like that jimmi lol

but yeah, polishing can be a real pain

[Cub]

So this is all done "dry"? What I meant by chalky is that they are very dry and not soft like a putty. Maybe I was looking at he greaseless thinking they were what I purchased. And Jimmi...that makes me want to get in the fetal position and give up....but I want to do this badly.

[UncleJimmi]

The rewards of reflections by your own hands are priceless
Just remember that polishing is really two projects 1st sanding, 2nd buffing
generally, sanding is 75% of the job. Like a car in the paint booth, all the real work was done before it gets sprayed and if body work is wavy the paint will high lite the flaws.
Your compound is fine, it has a melting point that is quickly reached from frictional heat. If you can handle the drill with one hand, you can dab the compound wile you are working. The compound will load up on the wheel and part this way and is only helpful in the cutting portion of the process (the first set of buff, dab's) The 2nd set is called coloring (the final buff)

[alabama_lowlife]

yeah, you got the right stuff man. it seems odd at first, but once you see it work you start to understand it.

[Cub]

Thanks alot for that bit of info about the melting point..that makes it easier to understand. Thanks for your input guys.

[mpierich]

If you have a good-sized vice you can wrap your bar in a rag and hold it in the vice - just let a 1/2" stick up. Or find another way to hold your compund securely. Putting compound on a drill-mounted wheel one-handed is a pain, and can be somewhat dangerous.

[Cub]

Originally Posted by mpierich

If you have a good-sized vice you can wrap your bar in a rag and hold it in the vice - just let a 1/2" stick up. Or find another way to hold your compund securely. Putting compound on a drill-mounted wheel one-handed is a pain, and can be somewhat dangerous.

I was just getting a plan together to keep things together and safe. I am not going to base all of my jobs on the drill buffing method. I already have a good workbench and a few other supplies including a large grinder/buffer and this weekend I'm getting the stand for that. Almost have everything to start my "shop".