Thread: A few questions about greaseless compounds

Originally Posted by shikano53

Great post and information.
I was wondering if someone could please clarify for me. I have greaseless up to 600
I realize now that they are dried out (the way I received them) and will re-hydrate them but I also have this.


Could someone please clarify me what the progression is for these polishing compounds for a mirror finish?
Thank you!

Here a video that shows what compounds to use

The brown tripoli is like a general purpose cutter. Best to be used on brass, aluminum, copper, tin and pot metals. My tripoli literally makes brass look like gold! It actually worked okay on steel for me too. I however have a fast cutting tripoli, still brown, but its called "greasy tripoli" but i'm sure its similar. As for the black, use that after 600, then the white, then the red. Just use the tripoli for stuff that isn't razors or knives. That should be a decent set though... of course no 2 compounds are every alike. All manufacturers mix their own formulas and put colors on them, so you never really know what your getting.

Originally Posted by glytch5

The brown tripoli is like a general purpose cutter. Best to be used on brass, aluminum, copper, tin and pot metals. My tripoli literally makes brass look like gold! It actually worked okay on steel for me too. I however have a fast cutting tripoli, still brown, but its called "greasy tripoli" but i'm sure its similar. As for the black, use that after 600, then the white, then the red. Just use the tripoli for stuff that isn't razors or knives. That should be a decent set though... of course no 2 compounds are every alike. All manufacturers mix their own formulas and put colors on them, so you never really know what your getting.

Thanks for the information and comments. It is very much appreciated.

One last question for everyone since this thread is still open... i'm used to other forums where these things get closed out of no where!
I have moved over to my formax emery compound on sisel wheels as you guys recommended... the emery cuts way coarser now BUT, i'm finding it difficult to remove the emery scratches with formax white on an SS wheel now... they just won't come out. Is it weird to use white on sisel? Thanks.

My current buff setup: 1100 RPM
Formax greaseless- 240, 400, 600 on SS wheels. Formax Emery on sisel, Ken Schwartz diamond 16 micron on sisel
3450 RPM
then formax white on spiral sewn, formax blue on loose cotton, or green on loose, or red on loose depending on the project.


I have yet to delve into 80 and 120 grit greaseless. Seems like the 600 grit greaseless and emery on sisel leave very similar scratches, in fact the emery on sisel sometimes seem even deeper. Either way when I go to white on SS wheel, they do nothing to do the emery on sisel OR 600 greaseless on spiral.

Joining this discussion late, but.....

As a gunsmith, I use Brownells 'Polish-O-Ray' for polishing various parts, such as slides I have milled bevels in. How does Polish O Ray, compare to the greaseless compounds out there?

I'm sure Glen will chime in, given his user name. :-)