Thread: help with polishing scales

I was given a trial pack, from my son in law who said he got it at Restoration Hardware. I found the larger 8oz bottles at The Container Store, 7-8 dollars for 8oz of no. 3.

I like to use a clean polishing wheel on the grinder. But that's after sanding all the way up to 4000 grit. But when using the wheel on a finish (like CA) never let it sit for too long on one spot. And also, when in doubt... start with a finer grit. Blades are a good example, I've screwed up and went way too low (80 grit) and spent forever trying to get those scratches out! Did the same with scales.

amen,theres a lot of solutions out there,but looked around here as to what I had that I can use before I go shopping.Noticed that most scales come with grime,oil,etc.,so started with what I had.Started with a steel brillo pad with soap, worked real good,next had 220 grit sand paper ,next #400 but, I can see need at least #800------#1200 grit.after that used dermel tool with moms wheel paste wax ,repeated the wax several times.It works great ,but theres room for improvement

Dude, take it easy with dremel polishing tool on celluloid and bakelite. They will burn really fast! Elbow grease is the tool of choice for synthetics.

Wow, 220?

I start at 1K and drop to 600, 600 scratches are easy to remove and 1k will buff with metal polish.

Are you removing deep scratches?

I was wondering if the scales are celluloid? Haven't tried it, but seems as though 220 would have a bit too much cut and deep scratches.
Also I have a buddy who uses some kind of car polish, forgot what type, but it was found on that late nite tv shopping station. I'll need to ask him.
I don't do as much serious restoration with celluloid unless it's still in really nice condition, usually when the scales are jacked up I remove and replace, or at least that's what I have in mind on most of the many "projects" that await me... Lol! Ugh.

Have not had any deep scratches so far will make a trip tomorrow to lowes.Wooden scales are harder to shine up,tried wood wax but just gives a satin finishI did find a greasless plastic compound tube in my razor gear,will try with my 6" buffer wheel.Thanks.

Got to lowes today looking for some fine sheets of sandpaper,well 400 grit was all I could find starting to walk off and spotted some 3M

3 2/3" x 9" sheets of 600 grit in package of 5,also found the 800 grit same size.will give it a try






















































full sheets were the

I found 1500 and 2000 grit at home depot. Surprising because the most I found there every other time I think was 600.
I really like the micro-mesh sand paper. But it's hella expensive. But even still it lasts a long time if you're gentle with it. The material backing helps to give a good rounded look on edges because it forms to your fingers..
Also tested a whole range of materials to put behind various sand papers. Cheap round sponges or the standard rectangular ones bent in half.. just an example. Helped me with the inner curves coupled with changing the direction of sanding..

yep,been there with the dremel tool,even with buffer with 6" wheels will give you problems over 1700 rpm's.thanks