Thread: Understanding Micro Mesh

Originally Posted by Geezer

For the Micro products to work for you need to know what their product is in relation to other grits, They are not the same!
Grit comparison
Then you can fit them into the proper order. I was in industry and it took us a wile to figure this out.

Hey geezer, so for my new OLD Straight could you give me advice on what grit I should get to clean and get my C-Mon hone ready? My brother and I currently have a Whipped dog 4k and 8 k norton?

You can save a lot of time and skip to buffing around 1500-2000 grit. However you will want to keep the metal cool while buffing. Even scales for that matter, buffing compounds can save a lot of time. I've used the micro mesh with great results. Polishing after micro mesh leaves an amazing finish, but then again the micro mesh takes a little more time than buffing compounds. At least this has been my experience. I'm still learning.

from a link above:

(i resized it down from gigantor)

My question is where to which MM rating from standard automotive supply A/O 2000 rated paper?

I don't have room or enough work to justify buffing wheels. Plus I like hand work, and rarely overheat the work with my fingers.

Going blind looking at the conversion chart i see 3 different MM "ratings" at the same 5-micron level. This is part of the problem. MFG's using multiple numeric ratings for a given level of performance. I suppose someone there can explain the logic in that.

Me, just renewing some old razors duh.

5 Micron (by their chart) is 1500 usa wet/dry level. I'll take it from there. 4000-12000 (in their AO/Regular line, not to be confused with MX products which are numbered 600,800,1200,1800 for the same microniums).

If i really like the product, i'll venture down in "grits".

I realize this is an older thread, but has anyone used the micro mesh pads with WD40 as the lubricant rather than water? Does it gum up the pads and make them difficult to rinse/clean/renew?

Sorry for my curiosity....

I'm curious about this also since one of the main ingredients in WD-40 is mineral oil and mineral oil has a tendency to gum up if left sitting for long periods. I am thinking that as long as you rinse/clean the pads after you use them there shouldn't be a problem, but since it displaces water so well not sure how rinsing/cleaning would go. Will have to wait and see what everyone else has to say.

Bought a small amount of it and polished two razors up before beautifully - highly recommended.

interesting question vis mineral oil. I applied engine oil to some microcloth and it worked nicely - although i was very sparing. 2 weeks have passed and gumming hasn't been an issue yet although the microcloth has the advantage of being easy to clean.

Originally Posted by Christel

Bought a small amount of it and polished two razors up before beautifully - highly recommended.

Please tell us more. Bought a small amount of which type and which "grits"? Thanks.

The grits were 1800 and 12000. I bought those to see if microcloth was worthwhile - i prefer it to wet and dry sandpaper and will be looking to expand the range of grits.

I'm unsure as to how many types there might be - cloth-like with an abrasive surface would be my immediate response.

The stewart macdonald instrument supply site has 'fingertip' size sets that would make a good sample set for people that don't want to invest a lot to try themhttp://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Sanding_Tools_and_Supplies/Micro-Mesh_Soft_Touch_Finishing_Pads.html?actn=100101&xs t=3&xsr=282Their postage to Australia isn't much either for my brethren this side of the planet.