Thread: Mirror Polish

It's not easy getting a mirror polish.

I've been doing progressions of
600, 800, 1000, 1500, 2000 wet dry
meguiars 85 cutting compound
meguiar fine-cut cleaner

Each time it's a little shinier but still looking a little murky.

When I look at the metal closely I see fine scratches and what looks like water stains (cloudy spots).

I'm pretty sure it's shinier than it was new but I'm wondering If I'm missing a step or if I just have to keep going.

How much elbow grease does a mirror polish take or am I simply missing steps in my progression?

Thanks,
Bob

You really need a buffer, sound like to me. Some stitched muslin wheels with some Fabulustre, then green chrome.

I get good results with my Dremel and large size muslin buffing wheel and Maas. I also use a flap wheel to get to quality steel then I start up with the elbow grease.

I usually finish up with both white and blue rouge on the dremmel with Muslin and finally a flapper.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I usually finish up with both white and blue rouge on the dremmel with Muslin and finally a flapper.

Oh Man, you letting out all the good trade secrets!

Flapper? What might that be?

If I told you that I'd have to kill you!

Actually its just a chamois pad on the dremmel. I call it that because it just flops around and if your not careful will catch the razors edge and destroy it and wip the razor either out of your hand or into it.

I use a magnetic jig to protect my edges when I work on them. But you still have to be oh so careful.

I concur on the dremel/buffing wheel combo with various buffing compounds, does the trick for me, after a good sanding up through 2000 grit.

As I killed my first refurb I am waiting for the next victim in the mail.
The edge kept chipping out. I honed out the chip and it chipped out in the same place again. I suppose I could grind it down but at this point it's getting awfully thin. I'm going to practice file work on it methinks.

- Bob.

I never did get it to Mirror polish. I will likely give the wapi's a try with a mix of chromium and my set of car polishes with a cloth pad.

I have a full set of meguiar products for polishing my paint with the orbital buffer. These may be too soft for steel but the #85 cut/cleaner seems to work just fine.

The experiment continues.

-Bob