Buffing Wheel.

Hi Folks,

As my projects are lining up and there are a couple I'd like to bring back to full shining glory, can you recommend a buffing wheel that won't be too harsh for polishing founts?

I've done a certain amount of metal polishing before, though in the past has been on heavier gauge metals. Obviously I want to avoid doing any damage.

Thanks, Stevie

 

Timm or member name Hippie has always done an outstanding job buffing lanterns ,I would message him and see if he'll share his method.

I've done it and just used compounds for nickel and chrome along with the softest wheel pad I have on hand . A really light and careful touch is necessary because the plating is thin and can quickly go to brass. As you have done metal polishing before I'd think the same techniques would apply only more carefully.

 

It's a combination of the amount of stitching on the wheel (to keep it stiff) and the type of soap (rouge) you use on the mop (buffing wheel). There are different grades of soap just as there are with wet and dry abrasives and they are formulated for different metals, usually with different colours like dark red or light blue. Hope that helps.

 

Thanks folks, Initially I'm wanting to buff up a brass lamp, just because the old girl deserves it!

 

@BigStevie

I have polished many stoves and some lanterns.
I have never used a buffing wheel attached to a 'grinder' nor have I used a wheel attached to a standard drill. They are too crude and can not clean the small 'nooks and crannies'.

I use a Dremel-type of drill with the small polishing pads. Both are cheap on eBay.

What polishing agent to use? Easy, use Autosol.

 

At my age you stay away from the automatic buffers (Dremels, polishing wheels, etc) or you ruin the object! I use a micro-fiber cloth and Mother's Mag wheel polish! Pair of rubber gloves help, too!

 

I disagree with George.

Have a look at this example of Dremel, small poishing pads and Autosol.

 

Thanks folks. I'm confident using the Dremel, I'll perhaps watch someone else using anything bigger (That'll be you Colin!) before committing myself.
The fount of my wall lamp is perfect, not the smallest ding or dent, so will proceed with caution! First things first will be removing the old lacquer, I'll be trying the GSR formula.

Thanks again all,

Stevie

 

Just to confirm, GSR isn't a paint remover, it gets rid of tarnish on brass.

 

Okay, I will have to try it!

 

I'm not confident with a Dremel at all , I'm a bit clumsy and impatient . I and many others in America use this inexpensive buffer . Mine didn't even cost $52 but about $40 when I bought it. The buffing pads though are low quality and have to be replaced. It does the job.

6 in. Buffer

 

The 6 inch buffer is kind of what I made by converting one end of a bench grinder by adding a polishing mop.

 

Go here https://www.caswellplating.com/buffing-polishing.html# and download the How to Buff and Polish booklet. It's is a good introduction on buffing and will get you started in the right direction.

 

Thanks Reese, have downloaded the booklet.

 

That is a useful booklet! I knew some of the information but there were loads of things I'd either picked up along the way or somply didn't know! Thanks Reece!

 

@Reese Williams

A very handy and interesting publication.

Many thanks for sharing the link.

Regards Jeremy

 

I guess you all want to save the plated surface so I'd like to recommend the "POL" metal-polish which does not harm the surface.
Regards Matti

 

Another very mild abrasive is toothpaste.

 

Felt buffing wheels on some angled grinders with some suitable rouge would do fine on large exposed areas of the fount. Finish off the narrow crevices and other harder to reach areas by the smaller Dremmels or by hand and cloth with Autosol or other polishing compounds.
You'll need to use the lightest touch(no pressure) with the grinder-buffing wheel or you'll remove the plating in a blink of an eye.