Using Our Products.

What is Metal Polishing.

Metal Polishing sometimes known as finishing or buffing is the process of removing scratches and abrasions from a surface, and creating the desired brightness of finish on that surface.  Polishing, like using sand paper, consists of procedures each of which is less abrasive than the previous. A combination of mops and compounds are used with a buffing machine or a household electric drill (pneumatic tools may also be used but only at relatively low speeds (4000 rpm max.) 

It is the particular combination of mop and compound which gives the desired cut / colouring action. 

Description Of Metal Polishing Mops.

Sisal Metal Polishing Mops.

These are very fast cutting and hard, they are particularly useful for first stage heavy duty mopping operations on steel and non-ferrous metals. They will remove grinding marks left from previous operations, when processing steel, stainless steel or non-ferrous metals and are usually used in conjunction with a coarse cutting metal polishing compound.

White Stitch Metal Polishing Mops.

These are versatile cutting mops used for general metal polishing which can be used for first stage polishing with Brown polishing compound on soft metals (brass, copper, etc), or for second stage polishing on hard metals with Pink polishing compound

 “G” Quality Metal Polishing Mops.

The most popular type of finishing mop. These mops can be used with Bluemax (Blue), Profin (Pink) and Starmax (Rouge) polishing compounds. 'G' Loose fold metal polishing mops are 100% white soft cotton, with no hard pieces. The mops have leather centre washers, no staples and have been finished so they can be used straight away.

Description Of Metal Polishing Compounds.

Tripmax (Brown) - For first cut and flattening on non-ferrous metals.

Bluemax (Blue) - For final finishing on non-ferrous metals.

Abramax (Grey) - For first cut and flattening on steels.

Profin (Pink) - For final high polish finishing on steels.

Starmax (Rouge) - For polishing soft precious metals such as gold and silver.

Vienna Lime (White Powder) - For removing polishing compound and grease residues.

Important 

Please remember to clean and degrease the item you wish to polish. Unclean/dirty/greasy material should be prepared properly before being polished.

For polishing soft metals start at 7 on the step by step guide. There is no need to use the sisal mop with the Grey compound as they are very aggressive and used for Aluminium, Steel, Iron and Stainless steel. The polishing kit will not remove metal or if parts are heavily scratched, marked or scored then suitable abrasives should be used.(flap wheels, abrasive cloth/wet and dry paper, rubbing blocks etc). 

Step By Step Guide To Polishing.

1. Attach the Mandrel to your drill or bench grinder spindle adapter to your bench grinder and fix tightly.

2. Attach the sisal metal polishing mop onto the mandrel / adapter and screw on tightly. 

3. Run the drill / bench grinder and apply the relevant metal polishing compound to the sisal metal polishing mop for approx. 2 seconds, the metal polishing compound is wax / abrasive based so the motion of the spinning mop generates heat which melts the wax / abrasive onto the metal polishing mop. 

4. Apply the mop to the item to be polished with medium / hard pressure. It is very important that you remove all marks / scratches and leave a uniform finish.

5. Apply more metal polishing compound to the sisal metal polishing mop if needed. 

6. When all scratches / marks are removed and the work piece has a uniform dull finish, remove the sisal metal polishing mop. 

7. Attach the white stitch metal polishing mop onto the mandrel / adapter and screw on tightly. 

8. Run the drill / bench grinder and apply the relevant metal polishing compound to the white stitch metal polishing mop for approx. 2 seconds. 

9. Apply the mop to the item to be polished with medium pressure. This will remove the dull finish left by the first process and leave the work piece with a semi-bright finish.

10. Apply more metal polishing compound to the white stitch metal polishing mop if needed. 

11. When you have a uniform semi-bright finish, remove the white stitch metal polishing mop.

12. Attach the "G" loose fold metal polishing mop onto the mandrel / adapter and screw on tightly. 

13. Run the drill / bench grinder and apply the relevant metal polishing compound to the "G" loose fold metal polishing mop for approx. 2 seconds. 

14. Apply the mop to the item to be polished with light pressure. This will remove the semi bright finish left by the second process and leave the work piece with a bright finish.

15. Apply more metal polishing compound to the "G" loose fold metal polishing mop if needed. 

16. You should now be left with a bright finish. 

17. Rub the polished article with Vienna Lime Powder and a soft cloth. This will remove any grease left on the surface.

 Polishing Tips.

Try to constantly vary the directions of which you polish. This is not always possible but recommended as some articles may be an unsuitable size and shape.

Use metal polishing compound sparingly, black grease marks will appear on work piece if too much metal polishing compound has been applied to the mop.

Remove black grease marks with a dry cloth. Remember little and often. 

If it is possible, polish across marks/scratches not along them. 

If the surface of the work piece is lacquered you must remove the lacquer before polishing, use a household paint remover available from you local DIY store.

Remember to wear appropriate safety gear. 

Use a different metal poloishing mop for each metal polishing compound.

Do not mix different metal polishing compounds on the same mop. 

If you are polishing small articles then you can fix your drill into a vice, this will enable you to polish these small articles with ease.

Sometimes when you have polished you may see a slight coat of grease or finger marks on the work piece, these can be removed with Vienna lime. Just rub the powder onto the work piece with a piece of polishing cloth. 

Protect polished articles with a good wax polish.

If you wish to electroplate or lacquer the polished article please make sure you use as good degreaser and do not protect with wax polish. Any dirt or grease / wax will interfere with the adhesion of the plated metal or lacquer. 

Safety.
Always use safety equipment- Dust mask, safety spectacles and gloves should be worn at all times. 

Always apply the item being finished to the area of the mop which is rotating away from yourself.