How do you properly polish metal?

[Model A Fan]

I have quite a few tools that I've been cleaning up and now I'd like to polish them and make them shiny. I've seen other members doing this with a grinder and the white wheels that look like a bunch of towels sandwiched together.

What items do I need to acquire to have a good setup for polishing tools? I know there are different polishing compounds, but what size grinder, polishing wheels and other equipment will I need to have in order to be able to polish tools and parts for cars?

 

[LUKE221]

on my old wrenches I start with 600 wet/dry and put a few drops of water on it and wet sand it. This is done to remove scratches. Then I work up to 800, 1000, 1200, and lastly 1600. The sandpaper (wet/dry kind) must have a few spritzes of water! Then once sanded smooth, Then I take the cloth wheel to it. You need to use white compound for steel, and red rouge for aluminum. Try watching a few youtube videos first and practice on something that you dont mind messing up at first.

 

[ford33]

I just attended a class at Eastwood automotive supplies on "How to buff metal". The class was informative and I learned a few things in the brief class.

Buffing is the process of removing surface imperfections, grooves and high points in a metal or plastic surface so that light is reflected equally from the surface. The metal reflects light easily and appears to "shine" when illuminated.

I learned that you start with 400 or 800 grit wet dry sandpaper and remove the initial rust and deep scratches. Whether to start with 400 or 800 depends upon the amount of scratches on the metal initially. Then move in stages to ever finer grits of sand paper and then buffing compounds using a buffing wheel and electric motor. The goal is to remove the previous grits scratches with a finer grit until ultimately the metal surface has a consistent and smooth surface finish. You do not move on to the next finer grit until the surface has a consistent finish with the current grit. It is difficult to remove scratches from a grit two stages earlier.

If you are serious about doing this work, visit the Eastwood website and watch the video's on "Metal Buffing". Also note that they sell a metal buffing kit consisting of a 1/2 HP buffing motor and wheels and compound. Sometimes these kits go on sale for 30 - 40% off regular price. Just last week they were on sale so you just missed it. It is not necessary to have this kit but it does make the work easier.

When done properly the metal finish looks very nice. You will need to protect the buffed surface from corrosion with some type of finish. Others here perhaps can make recommendations.

Good luck and let see some before and after pictures.

 

[HMCFab9]

What you use will depend a lot on what you are polishing.
Chrome: Some chrome polish & steel wool. A buffing wheel isn't going to do much.
If you are doing stainless or aluminum, the products you need are much different.
Go to Eastwood or TP tools, etc to find the correct products.

 

[pendragon1998]

What is the best way to freshen and shine up old nickel plated steel?