I decided to devote 1 hr a day to polishing during the resto.
I am using a gray bar and a buffing wheel.Being short on funds I got a HF polisher 1800-3500 rpm varible speed.seems to work ok.I did try to use my 7" grinder 8500rpm.Is this too fast?
I am having trouble with removing the filiform spots.Any suggestions?
I am using a sisal buff which is a little harder than a cotton buff.
You could use some 2000 grit aluminum oxide sandpaper that you've soaked in water & then proceed with your gray bar. I sanded the endcaps on my trailer & used 2000 grit last. After that I used the gray bar. If the 2000 doesn't take it off, step down to 1000 & then go back up to the 2000.
Thanks Becky,I found a supplier for the Formax products you suggested in Dallas.The gave me a sisal buff,a medium cotton,and a floppier buff to use in 3 steps for a mirror finish,gray bar,a redish bar, and another lighter gray bar.I will try the wet sand and see.The gray doesn't seem to be getting on the wheel too well.Maybe new?Thanks.
You need to fluff your buff with a wheel rake before you put the compound on it. As you progress you will develop a feel when the wheel needs to be cleaned with a rake. Keep up the posts and let us know how the polishing goes
1963 28' Ambassador
Vintage Kin Owner
Northern VT
, Vermont
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 360
I'm also polishing now. Had a chance to spend some time with a pro at a local trucking co. after I'd already started using a disc and pad. He set me up with busch equip. I was lucky enough to already have a 3/4 hp 1800 rpm grinder, very lucky. This allows 10" pads. He downloaded & copied this info for me from Busch. Aluminum requires a buffing speed of 5000 sf/min [+ or - 500 ok]. sf/min is not r.p.m. It is surface feet per minute. sf/min = 1/4 pad diameter X arbor speed. In my case 1/4 x 10 x 1800 = 4500 sf/min, lucky! Busch Buffing Techniques uses the perimiter of the pad perpendicular to the surface, not as a traditional bonnet. In the case of our A S with a very rough skin this seems to cut the time by a third with a very nice result. Total price of the arbor, 3 pads and two bars of compound was $70.00. I have no idea how this compares to a Cyclo polisher in preformance but this system workes great on seams and around windowes, ect. Gets in close and no pad material catching. Breaks over, back to work.
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