Posted by Kevin in Ohio [50.102.42.144] on Monday, December 09, 2013 at 20:26:25 :
In Reply to: kevin ohio posted by Glen of Idaho [70.41.236.37] on Monday, December 09, 2013 at 19:06:27 :
I take it this is thin side trim? Is it a flat surface or curved? Flats are THE hardest to get to a mirror finish. Do you have all the scratches out or are they still present?
It's a slow process ad it all depends how bad something is. I've started some thing with a 9 inch angle grinder or files. I normally do all my sanding by hand once it's to 220 grit.
I work with 320 a lot in one direction. On rounds or big curves you normally can try a buffer then to see the problem areas. I then move to 600 grit 90 degrees from the 320 lines. This allows you to see the scratches under some good lighting. Buff a little to see and repeat, if needed with 1000 grit. On flats you normally have to work up to 2500 grit to get an absolute mirror finish.
On compounds I've tried a lot of brands over the years and the best one I've found is Eastwoods Stainless compound. It is all I use now. I buff at 1750 RPM with a big close, spiral sewn cotton wheel. I've tried faster buffers and they do work for me. I do NOT use sisal,flap or loose sewn wheels. Eastwoods stainless compound is what I use to finish with as well. No white or red rouge. I don't use emory to rough in either. I do all my sanding dry. 2500 grit paper loads up quick.
I do use diamond compound occasionally on flats to get the haze off but it is expensive. Ebay has it cheaper now but it is $20.00 for a 5 0z syringe from normal suppliers.
Your spots are odd as I haven't run into that. My stuff is mostly scratch made from 300 series stainless. Is yours magnetic? (400 series) Some people chrome stainless but I think you'd be able to tell that.
Would it be possible to post a pic? Does sanding on the "water spot" enlarge it or does it stay the same, never going away?
One thing you do not want to do is use a wheel with different compounds(grits} or on different metals. If you buff mild steel then stainless, you can be setting yourself up for some problems. The same goes for your sand paper.
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