How To Polish Metal..
11-22-2002, 02:17 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: La Plata, Maryland
Posts: 9,725
Let me say that this is the way I have done it. I have had lots of success with this approach.
I am sure that some may have a different approach. I would actually like to hear about it if
you do it a different way. I get at least 2 PM's a week asking me where did I get mine done?
& How did you do it? So I believe this how-to is long overdue.
You will need a few supplies first. A bench top buffer
( www.harbourfrieght.com , if you dont have one )
Some #0000 steel wool, Wet dry and paper 220,320,400,600,1200,1500 grits. Lastly you will need the Tripoloy and White rouge polishes. They usually come in a stick. But the manufactuer may vary so they may be packaged differently.
Start your sanding with 220 till you remove all the casting imperfections in a piece. That means all the high spots and as many pits as possible. If you have access to a hand held electric sander that cuts the time of this job in half. If you have compressed air at your disposal you can use a grited paint remval wheel and a die grinder to take alot of the hard work out oft the beginning stages. You can also use greaseless compounds on a buffing or slap wheel. I use those most often. This will eliminate most all of the sanding using emory paper. Then there is the old fashioned way starting with the 220 sandpaper. So basically after you get the imperfections out with the 220, The next step is to remove the scratch marks left by the 220 grit using 320 grit. Repeat this process all the way through to 1500 grit. By the time you get that far the part will really start looking and feeling extremely smooth.
Now rub them down very well with the steel wool. Really rub it hard , you will see if start to shine up from that alone as the surface gets flatter.
Now the buffing. Use two fresh buffing wheels when starting. apply the polish to the wheel while it is spinning. Tripoly on one wheel and white rouge on the other. (keep these seperate) Tripoly is first. You want to use nice smooth passes holding firm pressure at first against the wheel with the piece. You can keep this up until you get it fairly shinny. Make sure that you keep the piece moving or you will burn the polish and it makes it harder to feather out. Like I said firmly then lighter pressure to feather it out.
After you feel happy with that. Rub the piece out with the steel wool.... DONT BE SHY....... Clean off the left over polish debris. Next you will repeat the entire buffing process but this time with the white rouge. Be patient and you may need to repeat both buffing coumpounds several times to get it smooth. You can use water in a spray bottle and that helps alot. You only want to wet the part every so often. You should get the feel for it. With a little determination you can get a chrome like finish that will make you the envy of the town.
........... Good luck
-Dave
I am sure that some may have a different approach. I would actually like to hear about it if
you do it a different way. I get at least 2 PM's a week asking me where did I get mine done?
& How did you do it? So I believe this how-to is long overdue.
You will need a few supplies first. A bench top buffer
( www.harbourfrieght.com , if you dont have one )
Some #0000 steel wool, Wet dry and paper 220,320,400,600,1200,1500 grits. Lastly you will need the Tripoloy and White rouge polishes. They usually come in a stick. But the manufactuer may vary so they may be packaged differently.
Start your sanding with 220 till you remove all the casting imperfections in a piece. That means all the high spots and as many pits as possible. If you have access to a hand held electric sander that cuts the time of this job in half. If you have compressed air at your disposal you can use a grited paint remval wheel and a die grinder to take alot of the hard work out oft the beginning stages. You can also use greaseless compounds on a buffing or slap wheel. I use those most often. This will eliminate most all of the sanding using emory paper. Then there is the old fashioned way starting with the 220 sandpaper. So basically after you get the imperfections out with the 220, The next step is to remove the scratch marks left by the 220 grit using 320 grit. Repeat this process all the way through to 1500 grit. By the time you get that far the part will really start looking and feeling extremely smooth.
Now rub them down very well with the steel wool. Really rub it hard , you will see if start to shine up from that alone as the surface gets flatter.
Now the buffing. Use two fresh buffing wheels when starting. apply the polish to the wheel while it is spinning. Tripoly on one wheel and white rouge on the other. (keep these seperate) Tripoly is first. You want to use nice smooth passes holding firm pressure at first against the wheel with the piece. You can keep this up until you get it fairly shinny. Make sure that you keep the piece moving or you will burn the polish and it makes it harder to feather out. Like I said firmly then lighter pressure to feather it out.
After you feel happy with that. Rub the piece out with the steel wool.... DONT BE SHY....... Clean off the left over polish debris. Next you will repeat the entire buffing process but this time with the white rouge. Be patient and you may need to repeat both buffing coumpounds several times to get it smooth. You can use water in a spray bottle and that helps alot. You only want to wet the part every so often. You should get the feel for it. With a little determination you can get a chrome like finish that will make you the envy of the town.
-Dave
11-22-2002, 02:37 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 343
Originally Posted by 75 Repu' date='Nov 22 2002, 03:33 PM
is there something to coat the metal so it stays shiny..
Or dip it in chrome! Bling!
11-23-2002, 12:25 AM
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: La Plata, Maryland
Posts: 9,725
I'm just following up for everyones benifit.
This is the type of buffer you will need.
Buy this one here for a mere $60 and polish all your parts.
At this link you can get the polishing compounds and wheels for the buffer.
I can suggest you get some Svelt rags also. They seem to sell those as well.
Don't buy the Red Rounge or Jewlers rouge.. it sucks
Tripoly and White are the ticket. :bigthumg:
11-23-2002, 12:37 AM
#8
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: La Plata, Maryland
Posts: 9,725
This product here is by far the absoulute best thing I have ever
used to keep up with the polish. This stuff is so good you could
almost use only this sandpaper and steel wool.
I highly recomend picking up a tube of....
Yes this stuff kicks the **** out of Mothers..http://www.antiquesupply.com/prod-jewelry-cleaning.html
used to keep up with the polish. This stuff is so good you could
almost use only this sandpaper and steel wool.
I highly recomend picking up a tube of....
Yes this stuff kicks the **** out of Mothers..http://www.antiquesupply.com/prod-jewelry-cleaning.html
