Frank,
I currently have some buffing wheels on an inexpensive bench grinder. I have
found this to work well. I have buffed several aluminum, stainless steel,
copper, silver pieces. This set-up is inexpensive and has the potential to
turn out really nice results.
A few observations:
1.Long pieces are difficult to polish on a grinder, as compared to a buffing
machine which has the arbor extended out q lot more, allowing easier access to
the buff.
2. It makes a mess, grinding dust, threads from the buff, and the polish itself
get throuwn around. This will settle on anything in the area.
3. The dust makes breathing protection important - polishing is not a quick
process and you will be standing there a while. Eye protection is also
important since I took off the guards to mount the buffs. (I don't like wearing
air filters and will "sneak in" a smal part for a quick polish without a
filter. If more than a minute or so I start to cough from the stuff I am
breathing in, then the cough will linger for a fre hours. )
4. Parts get hot, (very hot) and it is easy to burn yourself. With something
like a windshield frame you have a lot of friction on a thin piece of metal -
it gets hot.
5. I try to minimize my time at the buffer and will use wet/dry abrasive paper
to remove scrathes first. Start with maybe 600 grit, moving in the same
direction, then go to 1200 , then go to the buffer. Grits above 600 are
available at auto body paint suppliers.
6. My grinder is listed as a 1/2 hp unit and I easily slow down the motor.
7. It does help to change buffs as you get to finer grits, although I don't do
this. I try to rake the buff carfully before going to the finer grits, but
still usuaally end up with some of the coarser grit left behind. If you are a
perfectionist change the buffs.
8. They are not lying about parts being grabbed from you hands and flung
accross the room if you are not careful. Usually happens when I am not paying
attention.
Tip tools (www.tiptools.com) has a lot of good info.
Bottom line: not too expensive, can get great results (if you are patent
enough), makes a mess, takes longer than you might think. Wear eye and
breathing protection .
-Roger
Fmarrone@turinnetworks.com wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I'd like to polish some of the stainless trim for my Tiger, specifically I'd
> like to clean up some light to moderate scratches on the windshield frame
> trim. What equipment will I need for this? Can I buy buffing wheels for my
> bench grinder that will do the trick? What type of wheels do I need? What
> type of buffing compound? I've never polished stainless before but I keep
> hearing that it is easily possible at home with great results. Any help
> would be appreciated!!
>
> Frank Marrone
> Turin Networks
> fmarrone@turinnetworks.com
> 707 665 4414
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