Mendozaco wrote:Truchaos, what type of buffing wheels do you recommend? I used the cloth type and it left a mess all over the garage. I haven't used a buffer before and I need help. I'm in the process of restoring a war eagle and it needs polishing. Can you please post the types of buffing wheels you recommend? Thanks in advance.
Not getting into a long-winded discussion over the different types of buffing wheels, as it would take a booklet
to explain everything. I have been doing all of my buffing for many years, except for the cast iron jobs for the
plating shop. But even then, I have at times, sanded and lightly buffed original castings, that sometimes have
raised lumps from the factory, so that they turn out better when plated.
First of all, don't use cheap buffing wheels, as they do have a tendency to shred faster than the good quality
brands, as you will have a pile of cloth on the floor, deeper than your shoes. All buffing wheels will tend to
throw more particles around, until they are broken in. Also, do not rely on a single wheel, as they are too
narrow. Build the wheels up. Usually 4 to 6, depending on their single width. I learned the 'buffing mess' issue
a long time ago, and remedied the situation, by having just my small buffer, with 4" wheels, in the shop, for
small parts. I have a large buffer, on a heavy duty cast iron stand, (that does not walk), that I use for large jobs,
that I wheel to the yard on a hand truck, so that all the residue can fly into the wind. Besides, my wife doesn't
bitch about the mess, because I think she is convinced that it makes good fertilizer for her flowers.
On another note: DO NOT use cheap wire wheels for cleaning parts either, as you will find wire pieces all over
the shop as well. And by all means, Wear Good Eye Protection, as I have at times, had a wire stick in my forehead.