Hand Polishing

So, I would like some advice on hand polishing... I'll try to keep this short:

Usually I will spend minimal time on the greaseless, at worst some time on 80 to remove pits, but, more often, I use the 220, 400 and 600 to remove staining, then I go to Black emery, white stainless and green rouge... Soon I'll be adding a pink rouge to the end of that rotation... However, try as I might, I can't get a perfect mirror finish... I figured finishing with hand polishing might be the ticket... Can anyone explain the majority of the hand finishing process (or give me some advice on how to get more perfect finishes with my buffer? I am using color strokes, not cut strokes.)

Thanks,
Jeremy

Do you still have scratches on the blade or is just not mirrory?

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Originally Posted by ShavedZombie

So, I would like some advice on hand polishing... I'll try to keep this short:

Usually I will spend minimal time on the greaseless, at worst some time on 80 to remove pits, but, more often, I use the 220, 400 and 600 to remove staining, then I go to Black emery, white stainless and green rouge... Soon I'll be adding a pink rouge to the end of that rotation... However, try as I might, I can't get a perfect mirror finish... I figured finishing with hand polishing might be the ticket... Can anyone explain the majority of the hand finishing process (or give me some advice on how to get more perfect finishes with my buffer? I am using color strokes, not cut strokes.)

Thanks,
Jeremy

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You never mention your final polishing grits?
you will need to go at least 2000 grit to get mirror finish. I am not sure how fine are those (Black emery, white stainless and green rouge?)
hope this helps.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Slartibartfast

Do you still have scratches on the blade or is just not mirrory?

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Extremely minimal scratches on one near the honewear and bevel, no scratches on the rest

And I'm pretty sure those scratches are because it took me a few hours to set the bevel, and it was late, so I forgot to clean the stone... The swarf/metal build up scratched near spine and edge...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by hi_bud_gl

You never mention your final polishing grits?
you will need to go at least 2000 grit to get mirror finish. I am not sure how fine are those (Black emery, white stainless and green rouge?)
hope this helps.

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Bud, you've just solved my conundrum. I did not know that it took 2000. The compound I've been recommended and will soon pick up, the pink rouge, is listed as "This is our finest rouge and is is 2000 grit."

http://www.texasknife.com/vcom/produ...roducts_id=589

That should give me just the extra bit I need. Thanks for that little gem.

Any other advice for getting that little extra out of the razor? Maas metal polish? Anything else?

Thanks!

Cheers,
Jeremy

Just below the hone wear on the spine and just above the bevel is most likely from honing. It can happen on lower grit hones if swarf builds up, especially if you are using pressure. It's cause the grits stack up a bit.

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Originally Posted by holli4pirating

Just below the hone wear on the spine and just above the bevel is most likely from honing. It can happen on lower grit hones if swarf builds up, especially if you are using pressure. It's cause the grits stack up a bit.

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Yep, that's what I expected... Thanks, Dylan

Multiple directions at the lowest grit level you use...


Spray Brake Cleaner....

Between each of the polishing grits, do NOT rub with cloth, just spray off...


Caution Fire and Inhalant Hazards !!!!!!

Glen,

I usually just wipe the blade down with acetone and let it dry between grits. Does this work too?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gssixgun

Multiple directions at the lowest grit level you use...


Spray Brake Cleaner....

Between each of the polishing grits, do NOT rub with cloth, just spray off...


Caution Fire and Inhalant Hazards !!!!!!

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The only difference I can see Ben is the word "Wipe"
I really try to never wipe when there is any grit present when I am going for mirror, plus the spray cools the blade like right now hehehe and it dries in about 3 seconds...