WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE BUFFING COMPOUNDS AND ROUTINE? COMPOUNDS, WHEELS AND TRICKS?

What Are Your Favorite Buffing Compounds and Routine? Compounds Wheels and Tricks

I posted this in the What Are You Working On forum, but thought it should be a searchable thread, as I suspect many of you have your own routines for buffing and compound combinations.
So, here is a re-post and asking for your input and what tricks you have found works for you?

I tried Fabuluster and had issues with it loading up, it seems to work best with just a bit of compound on a freshly raked loose unsewn wheel as a finish compound for steel, bone or antler.

A couple of years ago I was doing a lot of antler, I filed a 45-degree bevel hand holding the scale then finished sanded on 120 and 220 belts and hand sanded to 1k by hand with a cork backer. Hand sanding goes quickly if you have a smooth 220 finish, take your time on the belt sander and perfect the finish as much as possible.

From 1k, I buffed with Green Stainless compound to on a Sewn 6-inch wheel to a high gloss, then went to Fabuluster on a loose 6-inch wheel, finished by hand with Maas and paper towels.

For a bit higher gloss, I wipe the item, steel, or scale material with WD40 then buff on Stainless compound, Fabuluster or Castwell’s White Lighting.

The WD40 cuts the compound and takes the finish to a higher sheen, with a 6-inch loose wheel. Green Stainless from a 600-hand sanding finish on horn will make it pop, and finish on White Lighting, and Maas with a paper towel. I hand polish everything with Maas and paper towels.

The brown unbleached paper towels seem to pop a hand- polish a bit more, they are probably a bit more abrasive. I buy them by the case at restaurant supply or your local coffee shop or fast-food joint will donate to your hand finishing project.

Trimming your wheels of loose fibers also can improve the finish. I rake frequently with a Castwell’s rake, and rake with the back side on the sharp wood corner to remove a lot of swarf from the wheel. A WD40 soaked paper towel removes the swarf from the rake’s teeth and back. Finish rake with a folded ¼ sheet of 80-grit.
I discovered the WD40 finish. I had a thin coat of WD40 on everything from cleaning off swarf, and saw the final finishes were a bit brighter and loaded up less. I spray WD40 on a paper towel and wipe the swarf from the razor or scales, I keep a soaked paper towel in my apron pocket and wipe as needed especially at finish. A clean blade or scale and clean wheels help to produce a better finish.

A trick I picked up from a Jewelry Supply video is to finish rake your wheels clean with a folded ¼ sheet of 80 grit sandpaper. It cleans your wheel and grinds off long threads as opposed to, pulling threads like a rake will. You still need to trim, but not as much, and you will see black swarf come off the wheel with sandpaper. Raking will get deeper into the wheel.

Invest in a good two-handed rake. They are much safer and do a better job than a screwdriver or fork, that I have seen recommended.

When I use a rake, I trim the wheel of any long threads. I buy several kitchen shears from the dollar store and keep a couple pair hanging on the wall above the buffer. I re-sharpen with a diamond file, and toss them when past their prime, Compound is hard on the edges and the steel is not that great.

Hold the item near but not touching the wheel, if you feel the threads slapping the item to be buffed, you need to trim the wheel. The threads will lay down when the wheel is not spinning, but the centrifugal force pops them back up.

Post your favorite compounds and tricks

I tried most of the brands I can find here in Turkey but my favorite brand is Menzerna. They cut very effectively and polish well. Their mirror polish don't look as wet as some other brands but good enough for me. I can't praise enough the 456g heavy cut compound. It cuts fast but also leaves a very good mirror finish. Sure you can proceed to green compound after that but most of the time 456g leaves a good enough polish for me.