[dbiggs]

Starting polishing my SS and got it to a point where it looks nice but isn't mirror like. Any of you guys know what it takes to finish them off? I have done everything up to this point by hand...do I need to invest in a buffer?

Figured I would try taking it to a metal shop but got a huge surprise when they quoted me 900+ for finishing my front and back glass trim and my aluminum vinyl top trim...and that just polishing, not anodizing.

[squidtone]

I suppose it's possible to do it by hand, but using a buffer wheel will save orders of magnitude of time.

If the damage is severe, doing the initial smoothing by hand is efficient. I used wet sand paper of grits from 600 up to 1500. From there, you can switch to the buffer wheels.
You use "rouge" with the cotton wheels. You can buy the "rouge" from the big box stores, or even Harbor Freight. I found the harbor freight rouges to be the best believe it or not. You jam the sticks of rouge into the spinning cotton wheels to load them up.
I only used two levels of rouge, the black, which is "fine" I guess, and then the green rouge, which is super fine; the final step.
Use a hard "sissel" wheel with the black stuff. I believe it means it's only sewed up for a "tight" wheel. YOu don't necessarily need a real buffer. I used an ancient bench grinder and it survived the acres of stainless I did on my 67.
More power for the grinder is nice, but it can be done on a 1/2 hp grinder.

Use the green rouge with a loose cotton wheel. The loose cotton wheels are slightly dangerous; they like to grab parts. Be careful.

Don't mix the rouges on the wheels. Keep them separate. HANG ON TO THE TRIM. It's not pretty if you lose grip. I almost lost some fingers while polishing the headlight hold down rings.

So, have fun. It's amazing how good the trim can look.

PS, not sure how to do aluminum. No aluminum on convertibles. GOOD LUCK!

[arbys]

Also wear gloves when polishing!

[Old Goat 67]

For starters.....

http://www.highperformancepontiac.co...n/viewall.html

[Tempest]

Buying a cheap buffer, the wheels, and the rouge (I bought green and white) was the best investment I made during my resto. The cost was minimal, the job was easy, and the results are great.

some advice, Don't push too hard, just let the buffer do the work, watch what you are doing on curved pieces, as you don't want them to get caught on the spinning buffer, and ALWAYS WEAR GLOVES (as arby said)

[Old Blue 66]

Dumb question but a bench grinder will accept a cotton wheel?

I've really had this on my mind. You can find a used bench grinder cheap just about anywhere.

[GT182]

AND MAKE SURE YOU HANG ON TO THE PIECES... they can be very dangerous missiles.

[arbys]

Originally Posted by GT182

AND MAKE SURE YOU HANG ON TO THE PIECES... they can be very dangerous missiles.

How do you think that they got the term Ziinnngggg!

[GT182]

Originally Posted by arbys

How do you think that they got the term Ziinnngggg!

Exactly. LOL And will make nasty holes in whatever the piece hits. Flesh is the worst!

[dbiggs]

Thanks for the advice...will go out and look into getting a buffing motor...got to be cheaper than the 900.00 I was quoted at the shop.

[Bill H]

Here is what not to do
Friend was helping me out with buffing, he lost a bunch of blood on this trick

[GT182]

I almost lost a front tooth and had a fat lip once from buffing a part off my Harley. Flying metal sure as hell wakes you up real quick.

[charles bledsoe]

Anyone ever bought a buffer from Harbor Freight? I have been using a bench grinder that I put a cotton wheel on one side. I keep getting a black residue which sticks to the piece I polish and then I have to scrape it off. I'm thinking the grinder might be the wrong tool. Harbor Freight has a buffer that it sells which is quite reasonable in price. Any ideas of which buffers to buy?

[arbys]

Originally Posted by GT182

I almost lost a front tooth and had a fat lip once from buffing a part off my Harley. Flying metal sure as hell wakes you up real quick.

It's better if it wakes you up instead of putting you to sleep!

[Old Blue 66]

Originally Posted by charles bledsoe

Anyone ever bought a buffer from Harbor Freight? I have been using a bench grinder that I put a cotton wheel on one side. I keep getting a black residue which sticks to the piece I polish and then I have to scrape it off. I'm thinking the grinder might be the wrong tool. Harbor Freight has a buffer that it sells which is quite reasonable in price. Any ideas of which buffers to buy?

Are you talking about this item?? It comes as an 8" as well. Good reviews on this one.

http://www.harborfreight.com/6-inch-buffer-94393.html

[Tempest]

Those cheap HF buffers are fine. I made 1 side the green polish, and the other the white. If you are stopping the wheel from turning while buffing, then you are pushing too hard. Let the wheel and the rouge do the work, and several passes are better than 1 slow pass with a lot of pressure. (less heat buildup and less chance for injury)

I wear a face sheild and a dust mask as well as gloves.

[charles bledsoe]

Originally Posted by Old Blue 66

Are you talking about this item?? It comes as an 8" as well. Good reviews on this one.

http://www.harborfreight.com/6-inch-buffer-94393.html

Yup that's the one. Have you heard any bad press on it? Any recommendations on which buffer to purchase?

[charles bledsoe]

Originally Posted by Tempest

Those cheap HF buffers are fine. I made 1 side the green polish, and the other the white. If you are stopping the wheel from turning while buffing, then you are pushing too hard. Let the wheel and the rouge do the work, and several passes are better than 1 slow pass with a lot of pressure. (less heat buildup and less chance for injury)

I wear a face sheild and a dust mask as well as gloves.

So do you think the black gunk I am getting on my SS is from pressing to hard? Could it be from using two different colors of rouge on the same wheel.
Thanks.

[GT182]

Charles, from what I've done... and it's not a lot... with a buffing wheel, pressing too hard is basically the problem with getting that black crud. Not using enough rouge, or even using the wrong wheel too will cause it. From what I went thru it was another learning experience altogether.

[Old Goat 67]

That black stuff is normal.

If you are pressing hard, you're doing it wrong. Let the wheel and the compound do it's work. Press hard and watch it fly away!

Do it in stages. See below.