Should I just use white compound? how fine in sandpaper should I go?

[quadracer2cool4u]

Right now I'm using emory on a spiral, then white on a spiral. I get just as good results with white only, should I scrap the emory? I'd be saving some time from having to clean the parts. I start with 180 grit sandpaper then go to 600 grit. somtimes I have scraches from 180 that 600 will not take out. Should I stop sanding at 500? or sand with 400 in the middle of 180 and 600? I would like to stop using black to save time(if posible). I heard that emory is about 400 grit, so if I stop at 600 it should be fine to start with white compound, right?
Thanks

[baz]

Originally Posted by quadracer2cool4u

Right now I'm using emory on a spiral, then white on a spiral. I get just as good results with white only, should I scrap the emory? I'd be saving some time from having to clean the parts. I start with 180 grit sandpaper then go to 600 grit. somtimes I have scraches from 180 that 600 will not take out. Should I stop sanding at 500? or sand with 400 in the middle of 180 and 600? I would like to stop using black to save time(if posible). I heard that emory is about 400 grit, so if I stop at 600 it should be fine to start with white compound, right?
Thanks

you answered your own question there !
jumping from 180 to 600 is too much in my opinion .
from 180 you can jump to around 280 and then maybe 400 ad 600 .you can get different opinion on this from others on the forum and they are all good as long as they do the job .
what i m saying is that there is different ways to get the job done do some experimenting t find out what works best for you

[mpierich]

Originally Posted by quadracer2cool4u

Right now I'm using emory on a spiral, then white on a spiral. I get just as good results with white only, should I scrap the emory? I'd be saving some time from having to clean the parts. I start with 180 grit sandpaper then go to 600 grit. somtimes I have scraches from 180 that 600 will not take out. Should I stop sanding at 500? or sand with 400 in the middle of 180 and 600? I would like to stop using black to save time(if posible). I heard that emory is about 400 grit, so if I stop at 600 it should be fine to start with white compound, right?
Thanks

You skipped a grit or two, like baz says.

If it looks OK without using the emery, then...don't use the emery!

[jrow]

quadracer2cool4u,

When you start a new polishing project, try to match the grit of the abrasive that you are using to the metal that you are trying to polish. If the metal is smooth then just polish it! As the others stated 320-400 grit sandpaper is far enough to go then polish! It's far easier to use mechanical means to polish than to use hand labor!

John