Polishing tips?

[OPBN]

I have polished a few SS bodies by hand. Starting with 2-400 grit sand paper and working my way up to 800, 1000 and 1500. I have also used a dremel with polishing wheels etc to buff things out etc. There has to be an easier way. I have tried to do some looking around for pnuematic handheld tools, but can't seem to get a handle on exactly what I am looking for. I looked around at Lowes to see what they have, but nothing really seems to fit the bill as I don't see any sanding pads or what that would go with the tools. I tried googling it and have come across some sites, but not sure exactly what I am looking for. Any suggestions? I am looking for specific information like model numbers, replacement pad numbers etc. I have a compressor already, just need the air tool. Thinking about investing in a buffing wheel of some sort as well. Again, any suggestions? I'm not looking to open up for commercial work or anything, so not looking to steal someones trade secrets.

[hill160881]

I got this 6" bench polisher at HF. Its cheap $30 but it works great.
This is the one I wanted but they only had the 6" in stock at the time so I got it instead.
http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=bench+polisher
http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae195/hill160881/Temp/PICT1511.jpg

[Smoothice]

The first body I polished I did by hand. What a nightmare.

The second one I did I used an orbital palm sander. Man did that work great! Get the sand paper at an automotive store. You will still need to do it by hand near the feedneck. But it sure saves a ton of time and effort.

[OPBN]

The first body I polished I did by hand. What a nightmare.

The second one I did I used an orbital palm sander. Man did that work great! Get the sand paper at an automotive store. You will still need to do it by hand near the feedneck. But it sure saves a ton of time and effort.
I have a hand sander I knicknamed "scooter", but I have never seen sanding pads for it that are fine enough grit. It's and old Craftsmen one that takes these funky proprietary sticky sanding discs that I can only find at Sears. Finest grit I ever see is like 400.

[Smoothice]

I just use a square headed one that you can put ANY paper sheet onto. Just cut the paper to the right size and put it on. Probably $20-30 at home depot.

[93klauss]

I got this 6" bench polisher at HF. Its cheap $30 but it works great.
This is the one I wanted but they only had the 6" in stock at the time so I got it instead.
http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=bench+polisher
http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae195/hill160881/Temp/PICT1511.jpg


So is that your couch turned on end to make room for the Tools!!! Classic :dance:

[Pneumagger]

While I wouldn't call it "polished", a great start is using a scotchbrite wheel on a bench buffer.
It gives about the equivalent of about a 600 grit finish in as little as 15 minutes.
It's a nice "bright stainless" finish without th emirrored/chrome/ultragloss look.
The finish will match a classic valve nicely.

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g45/jrm33/100_1982.jpg

[Maghog]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_FHHnFvVaE

There are many techniques you can use for polishing. This is only one of them.
Dan@Triggernomics

[OPBN]

I don't think a standard buffing wheel will get the desired effect on stainless steel though.

[hill160881]

a few minutes and the only wire weal I had(they make finer) then the stiffer cloth wheel and this is what i got from a SS feed neck. So this way will work but may not be any faster than the other methods mentioned.

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae195/hill160881/Temp/Projects/PICT1513.jpg

[OPBN]

That looks pretty good. I need to invest in a polishing wheel anyways, so looks like it might be a good time. Thanks.

[rawbutter]

http://www.automags.org/forums/showthread.php?t=238225

[BAZOOKA_Boy]

a 3/4 horse 10inch hi speed bench grinder with spiral sewn wheels, and steel polish

:rolleyes:

[OPBN]

http://www.automags.org/forums/showthread.php?t=238225
Yeah, I've done this, thus my first post asking for some quicker/easier ways to get it done.

[OPBN]

a 3/4 horse 10inch hi speed bench grinder with spiral sewn wheels, and steel polish

:rolleyes:
Hate to be a tool, but never heard of a spiral sewn wheel. Is this something Harbor freight would have?

[Spider-TW]

a 3/4 horse 10inch hi speed bench grinder with spiral sewn wheels, and steel polish

:rolleyes:
I'll leave that to you professionals.

I have enough trouble with little parts and wheel like 93klauss'. Right now I only have one side hanging off the table. I need a pedestal with a carpet curtain to catch my mistakes. :argh: I know which direction I should be presenting the parts, but I get into the pretty surface and forget or get too close to the edge. Right now the parts just bounce off the other junk in the garage, but I'm not going to press my luck.

I think a big wheel might have sent my promaster frame through the sheet of plywood behind my work area.

[BAZOOKA_Boy]

Hate to be a tool, but never heard of a spiral sewn wheel. Is this something Harbor freight would have?

Actually yes, it looks like someone sewed a spiral into the wheel, it makes it alot stronger, and makes polishing steel much quicker (relative time). just ger one in 6 inch, and your good to go! Also I might suggest a pair of rubber dipped gloves, saves your hands from heat and loosing skin to the wheel.

[OPBN]

Actually yes, it looks like someone sewed a spiral into the wheel, it makes it alot stronger, and makes polishing steel much quicker (relative time). just ger one in 6 inch, and your good to go! Also I might suggest a pair of rubber dipped gloves, saves your hands from heat and loosing skin to the wheel.
Found an 8", 3/4 HP bench grinder/buffer combo for about $70 at HF. They also have a buffing kit. Looks like I'll be busy this weekend.

[LK-13]

I recently sent two SS mag bodies off to LK-13 to have him polish them. Both were fairly ugly. One being an old beadblasted rental body that I had had milled for a pump, and the other an old "smokestack" center feed that had sat in the back of a shop for it's entire life.
I can't find the 'before' pictures, but will update if I do find them.

Here are some 'after' pictures.
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h91/SnowZone/mags/HPIM0651.jpg
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h91/SnowZone/mags/HPIM0650.jpg

Two more with a little flatter contrast:

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h91/SnowZone/mags/mag2.jpg
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h91/SnowZone/mags/mag3.jpg

The polishing is very well done, there is no area that was missed, even the seams around the feedneck and the welded on bodyscrew mounting point are incredibly shiny, LK-13 even went so far as to polish the bores!

The completely polished bodies are incredible. They look better than a very nice chrome piece. Really the only thing that I can complain about is that it is almost impossible to take a picture of them due to the reflections :rolleyes:.

http://www.automags.org/forums/showthread.php?t=243048

here is a great source for hot to and supplies:

http://www.caswellplating.com/

http://www.caswellcanada.ca/shop/

[OPBN]

Nice plug. You do great work, but looking for some DIY projects.