Thread: Greaseless problem

I have a question, i got some greasless compound and i applied it to the sewn wheel. And after five minutes of using it, i needed to add more. I don't understand is this normal

Greaseless wears out because of

A) you didn't let it dry. ....it has to dry completely to be effective, otherwise it just smudges off.
B) excessive pressure.... you'd probably know because of heat build up
C) you didn't rake your wheels beforehand, which means that you didn't really put any compound on the wheel in the first place (by comparison)
D) a combination of all of the above.

In any case, I recommend you do a search of posts using the search function, and read everything there is about the compounds before you start using them. After you've read everything....read it again.

The workshop sticky...as always....has a great amount of information on the compounds....

why would i need to rake them i have one. but i thought they are used to clean?

I've noticed that Caswell greaseless wears out faster when you apply it with a fast buffing speed. It never really coats the surface well. You need a solid covering on your buffing wheel, and enough heat that it melts the greaseless and thoroughly covers the buffing wheel. You have to apply pressure with the compound to the wheel. What Maxi is referring to with pressure, i think, is pressure of the blade against the wheel with the greaseless applied.

while the wheel is spinning, apply the rake to the buffing wheel after the dried greaseless is worn out, and before putting on a fresh coating. You'll know when you need it when new compound doesn't adhere to the wheel well.

okay what is the best greaseless compounds out there

That i don't know, as I only have experience on Caswell brand greaseless. It's easily accessible on ebay.

I think Formax is the manufacturer for pretty much any greaseless on the market. Your problem is likely not product, but technique.... read, read, read...

Formax is Caswell's supplier. And Caswell is a pretty well respected automotive buffing/polishing vendor. The problem is most likely NOT the compound. Better machinery doesn't fix an operator.

Look at the old wood planes and squares that were used to build structures and furniture in the middle ages.....and it's still around. They had nothing close to a trued steel shoe.

Anyway, turn the machine on, apply the rake back and forth for a while (wear a respirator and goggles because that stuff flies off and you'll look like you were in a pillow fight). After the wheel has been thoroughly raked, then apply the compound. Run the compound across the wheel from one side to the other. Coat the wheel nicely. If you use too much pressure when applying the compound, it will flake off the wheel and go everywhere but on the cotton. Medium pressure. Now....let it dry. Walk away for an hour or so. When it's totally dry it will feel kind of "scrunchy".

Personally, I keep a full set of wheels loaded and in separate plastic bags, zipped up and ready to go. That way I don't have to wait when I get into the shop. Time is limited some nights, and having things ready to go really helps.

Don't put different compounds in the same back....it's wax and sandpapergrit....putting a 600 wheel and an 80 wheel in the same bag will be a nightmare if the 80 contaminates the 600. You'll bang your head against the wall for hours~!