Thread: Mirror finish or bust!

Here is another source for metal polish that forum member The Topher uses for his restos.

Can anyone recommend a brand for these greaseless compounds and where to pick em up?

Originally Posted by kenneyty

Can anyone recommend a brand for these greaseless compounds and where to pick em up?

The link that Jimmy posted is one (except I get the same dry compounds at Caswell since these are FORMAX compounds and I order many other items from Caswell. They sell greaseless too.

Eastwood is another great source.

Don't be surprised when you receive those compounds. They are as big as a salami.

I like the greaseless compounds too....... Don't forget to get the pre-treat for your buffs.

Lynn

Keep a glass of ice water on hand. When the blade starts to get warm, just dip it in the water for a few minutes to quench the blade. Works great. Just don't drink the water!

Thanks a lot for all the help guys! I am not sure exactly where I am going with this from here, my brother may be sending me a dremel. I will be waiting to see what kind of equipment I can get my hands on. I can't wait to post more questions when I finally get something.

Thanks!

Hello gentlemen,

I am in college right now, and my transportation is limited. I do however go to walmart to pick up supplies when needed. I hope this doesn't insult anyone, but would there happen to be any compounds etc. that walmart may sell that I could pick up to polish my razors? Thank you all for your time and for a great site.


-Pete

I saw that pre-treating compound on the Caswell site. Looks like a good way to start. Do you guys use a different Dremel felt wheel for each compound, or do you use 1 wheel and swap through the compounds?

Mirror polishes are not easy to do. manufacturers have high speed laps that can do it very quickly. I've been working on an old vintage Japanese razor and it took me months of on and off hand sanding. I finished up on 2000 grit wet dry sandpaper. You can use rouge and a dremmel but it has to be rouge designed for hard steel like a green rouge. Either way its a slow process.

Originally Posted by kenneyty

I saw that pre-treating compound on the Caswell site. Looks like a good way to start. Do you guys use a different Dremel felt wheel for each compound, or do you use 1 wheel and swap through the compounds?

You never mix compounds so if using a Dremel get several mandrels and use each wheel with a different compound on a seperate felt or other wheel you want to use.

With a buffing machine and larger wheels you could rake between compounds but again, you would use a different wheel per compound. You would only rake when you want to remove some excess compound that has turned black.

Don't underestimate using any of those tools for polishing ang buffing. Not only the safety involved but using the right compounds, wheels + speed involved and you should be aware that you will heat up that blade in a split second so extra care should be taken.

Some of us can do miracles with the tools we use. These are all the same tools anyone can purchase and use. It's not a hidden secret.

The difference will be the person sitting behind those tools. It takes experience and some time to learn what works best. I always say, every tool can be awesome if used correctly by the right person.