Pro-fin Professional Quality Polishing Compounds
Your complete step by
step guide to achieving the perfect finish.
Equipment
Depending on the jobs to be polished, there are two basic set ups that can be used.
For jobs that can be hand held and need heavy abrasion, there is no doubt that the best method is to use a selection of polishing mops and/or felt bobs mounted on a fixed motorised polishing spindle with a motor of ½ HP upwards. These are available from many D.I.Y. sources at reasonable cost, usually sold as double ended bench grinding machines.
The Pro-Fin range of products includes various taper spindles or 'pigtails' in a range of standard spindle sizes that fit in place of the grinding wheels and allow mops or bobs to be fitted to the motor spindles, thus converting the bench grinding machine to a polisher. Details of the various taper spindles are given in the Pro-Fin pages of the Abrasive Products Section.
With the polishing machine rigidly fixed or clamped to a bench with the mop overhanging the end of the bench, a very effective polisher can be set up. It will be necessary to remove the grinding rest and usually also the grinding wheel guard from the motor, depending on the taper spindles and the diameter of the mops used.
Double ended spindles are convenient as it is then a simple job to fit different mops for various grades of polish to each end, thus saving time changing mops.
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For situations where it is inconvenient to take the job to the polisher, you will have to take the polisher to the job. In such cases, it is possible to use a domestic electric drill, fitted with either suitable pigtails or a flexible shaft, with the drill either hand held or fixed to a portable bench such as a Workmate ä . |
A suitable universal rigid drill
clamp is available for a very reasonable cost from general tool
suppliers.
We would advise the user to avoid the cheaper flexible drives as these run hot and very soon wear out. Suitable drill mounting pigtails with either a standard or a long shank are listed in the Pro-Fin product pages. They can also be used in the chuck of a flexible drive.
Taper spindles (False Noses ) should only be used on bench mounted grinders and must never be used on any portable power tools (angle grinders or similar).
With either or both of the set-ups mentioned, you will be equipped to polish almost any job that comes to hand easily and efficiently.
There is a wide variety of polishing mops, felt bobs and mounted points available in the Pro-Fin range, to cover any job. These are listed in the Pro-Fin pages.
Generally, it is best to use the stiffer stitched mops for heavier smoothing and preparation work, or for satin finishes, and looseleaf mops for final polishing. For very delicate work use the softest mop available. Felt bobs and mounted points are useful when using flexible shafts to polish difficult shapes or areas where it is impossible to get in with larger diameter mops.
Where it is necessary
to use smaller diameter polishers, higher spindle speeds give
better results.
All mops
and bobs must be properly 'headed up' with the relevant polishing
compound to transfer the polish to the mop.
With new mops, this will involve a certain amount of dust and fluff coming off the mop, and use of goggles, a simple face mask and a work coat or overalls is advised. After several applications of polish, the mops become fully coated and stop shedding fluff. Felt bobs do not produce this fluff when applying polish.
Although there is a wide variety of shapes of felt bobs, such as cones, cylinder and spheres, it is easy to produce any shape required by sanding a revolving bob to shape using coarse sandpaper. Wear a face mask during this operation. Bobs also wear to the contours of the job during polishing and should be headed up regularly as this wear takes place.
Remember, for the best results it is important that the various mops and bobs are used for only one type and grade of polish and should be suitably marked to identify them.
Equipped with the above range of polishing compounds and suitable simple equipment, the polishing enthusiast and DIY user will be able to produce a professional finish on all materials in everyday use with a little effort!
We hope you enjoy the results!
Warning:
The Pro-Fin range of products should not be used on delicate mechanical objects such as clock parts, electro plated items, or any valuable antiques which may suffer irreparable damage in the hands of the inexperienced. In these cases, seek professional advice.
