buffing scratches on stainless

[tim colleran]

Any recommended methods for buffing out some of the stainless trim on a 65 convertible without leaving swirl marks from the buffer?

TimC

[Jean C.]

buffing scratches on stainless

Tim, where are you located? We have a Houston Chapter tech event on buffing stainless, aluminum & plastic on 10 Jan 04.

[Michael H.]

Re: buffing scratches on stainless

Eastwood sells a good stainless kit - but you need a professional grade buffer to get stainless right.

[Tracy C.]

Re: buffing scratches on stainless

Tim,

I use Caswells "White Lightening" Stainless Compound and a loose cotton wheel on stainless and chrome to minimize swirl marks on brightwork. (make sure to remove any wax on the piece prior to buffing)

If you are doing this on the car, mask off the painted areas with 2 inch masking tape first and use a 4 X 1/2 inch wheel on an air driven dotco to get sufficent wheel speed.

If off the car, mount a 6 or 8 inch wheel on a bench grinder or better yet, invest in a buffing machine. Harbor Freight sells a dandy 8" machine for less than 100 bucks.

good luck
tc

http://www.caswellplating.com/buffs/compound4.html

[ronnie robertson # 36786]

If it's on the car...

you will have a difficult job. If off, use any 1750 RPM motor and a spindle to hold a pad and get excellent results. The materals are very cheap, but it's a LOT of work. Use 1500 wet sand paper and go over all the trim. This will help locate problem areas. Then, depending upon the scratch, use 180-220-etc, up to 1500 to get rid of the scratch. Then use various compounds on the pad. BE CAREFUL... The trim can get caught by the pad. and WHAM! Wear heavy gloves and work small sections at a time, holding very firmly. The more buffing (and shining), the more imperfections will become evident. Again, excellent results can be achieved, very time consuming. The Pros get up to $10 per foot.
Good Luck.

[Larry Bell]

Re: buffing scratches on stainless

Here's a little article I wrote that may help:

http://www.bumpsides.com/stainless/index.html

Not a Vette but....

Larry