Best approach to polishing large sections of auto trim

[badav]

I just wanted to know what is the best approach towards polishing large pieces of stainless steel auto trim. I have done some small pieces (around 1"x.0.5" in size) with good results, using sisal/ss/loose & black/green compounds.

When i try the same on larger pieces of trim however the results are not very good which i think is caused by poor technique. What i want to know is what is the right technique to use in polishing large pieces.

After hand sanding (to remove deep marks) i use black on a sisal wheel which leaves many finer scratches of its own. After this i use green compound on a spiral sewn wheel and buff at 90 degrees to the direction i did the last cut in. This removes most of the scratches left by the sisal buff, but leaves many of its own, which i find very hard to remove in the next step.

What i am stuck on is what should i be doing after this. Should i be cutting, or colouring with a loose wheel, and should it be in the same direction or 90 degrees to the cut made by the spiral sewn/green.

also

- does it matter which direction i apply the piece to the wheel when doing the first cut (ie: horizontal against the wheel motion, or vertical against the wheel motion)
- does each cut need to be done at 90 degrees to the last cut.

[Tng21]

well to see the scratches that the green polish dissapear you need to go finer in the compounds. After green there is pink and white, each are fine than the previous. White will be the finishing compound.

I always find that you get the best finish when you polish along the grain on the metal so if the scratches go || dont polish or cut = you want to follow the direction of the scratches. On the rocker covers i do, i always tend to sand along the grain of the Ali which for me is the longest part of the part.

Always start with the cutting motion, and then proceed to the colouring motion.

Take your time and dont rush it. A man who rushes their work will never be happy with it.

And before you go try that, what grit are you hand sanding with?

[jrow]

badav,

Try finishing your pieces with white compound and a sewn buff in lieu of a loose buff! If you still have micro scratches, try some Mothers Mag wheel cleaner and polish by hand!

John