Thread: Greaseless advice from the big-timers here

Hello,

I was wondering if some of you who do this sort of thing can help out. I'm having trouble putting a real nice mirror finish on my blades. This is my progression on the compounds, mostly to save a bit of money

#1. -80 grit greaseless compound

#2. 320 grit greaseless compound

#3. black emery polishing compound

#4. white roush polishing compound

I suspect that not using a 600 grit greaseless before the black emery is the culprit. What do you all use?

ALSO, it seems that more than half the time, I don't get good enough coverage on the buffing wheel with my 80 grit, and it doesn't cut as fast as it needs to. I spend sometimes 3 hours just on 80 grit. Is that typical?

I think you're jumping too many steps there. Imagine using 320 grit sand paper to remove 80 grit scratches. You CAN do it but it's going to take a lot longer than it would if you used more steps in between. In my opinion, it works the same way for buffing and every step in your sequence is too big. If you are not getting full coverage on your wheel, then yes that can explain the 3 hours, which is way too long. Did you rake your wheel to make sure it's round?

--Small Timer

you know, for the longest time I never raked my wheel, then came across some info that I should do that, so I used an improvised rake the last few times when the compound was not holding. Still not getting great coverage. PS, im also blow-drying the compound so itll dry faster, if that lends any insight

btw, from the scratch pattern, it seems like the 320 is doing a pretty good job removing the 80 grit scratches, but I'm not so sure the black emery is taking out the 320 scratches. what is the last greaseless used in a progression to do mirror finishes?

Rather than blow drying it, just let the wheel spin. Also, it's best to apply it again when you are done with the wheel so that it will be ready and dry for the next time. For the lowest greaseless, you might want to have two wheels for it so that you can be using one and drying the other by spinning. The highest greaseless I have is 600. I have read of 800 but have never found any. I cannot imagine emery taking out 320, but then I have never tried it.

hmmm, I guess that's my answer. I need to buy higher grit greaseless

And perhaps coarser and finer polish and maybe some sandpaper as well!

http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...gold-wash.html

That thread has pics I just did of all the grits in order and the effects they have...

There is another on here somewhere called "Walking a W&B through the buffers"

One other point:
The finer the grit used on a buffer, the greater the heat generated and the quicker that heat will get out of hand..
Respectfully
~Richard

hey thanks for the advice guys!