AIRWAY BUFFING WHEELS
These are 8" diameter airway buffing wheels that come in a variety of mill treated & untreated variations that vary in stiffnesses. The type of metal that you are polishing will determine which wheels are right for you and thus what compound properly corresponds with your wheel. Our wheels can be used on metals, plastics, woods & composite materials. My video below will explain the differences in the wheels:
WHAT HAND HELD POLISHER SHOULD YOU USE?
MAKITA 9237C- The best 3,500 RPM polishing machine (PROS & BEGINNERS)
MAKITA GA7021 - The best 6,000 RPM polishing machine (PROS)
WHAT BENCH TOP POLISHER IS BEST FOR 8" AIRWAY BUFFING WHEELS?
POWERTEC BENCH TOP POLISHER - Best polisher that works with 8" airway buffing wheels. $ 149
YOU USE THE EDGE OF THE BUFFING WHEEL TO POLISH?
Yes! This is called edge buffing and the method is often used when polishing metal with an angle grinder, a buffing wheel, and compound. See below:
WHAT SIZE BUFFING WHEEL SHOULD I USE FOR POLISHING?
For greater detail work, consider an 8" buffing wheel. The 10", 12", and 14" (custom size) are often so large as to only to be used by professionals on large flat work, such as a fuel tanker. Businesses, professionals, and skilled users may find that 10" Airway Buffing Wheels are ideal for them because of the longer life of the wheel. Some users purchase 10" Airway Buffs with the intention of wearing them down to 8" or 9" to use for their detailed work, as opposed to buying multiple sizes.
PAIRING BUFFING WHEELS WITH POLISHING COMPOUND CORRECTLY:
ALUMINUM METAL POLISHING
Polishing aluminum with our airway buffing wheels are typically done in a two-step process. We recommend pairing our Brown Tripoli Metal Polishing Compound with our orange airway buffing wheels as the first step.
For the second step in polishing aluminum, we would want to pair our yellow airway buffing wheel with our Green Rouge Metal Polishing Compound.
STAINLESS STEEL METAL POLISHING
Polishing stainless steel with our Airway Buffing Wheels is typically a two step process. The first step is to pair our red airway buffing wheel without Black Magic Compound. The second step involves using a Pink buffing wheel with our Yellow Deluxe Compound. For an extra show-shine finish, some use a white buffing wheel with our Blue Rouge Metal Polishing Compound at no more than 2,200 RPM.
HOW DO YOU POLISH COPPER OR BRASS?
Brass and copper must first be prepped for polish with sanding to clean and clear any imperfections in the metal before you go into your mirror polishing process. For a lite tarnish, use a scuff pad to break the surface. For a heavier tarnish or oxidized surface, soft sanding with a 600 or 800 grit will smooth this surface out and get rid of any imperfections.
For polishing we recommend a Yellow Airway buffing wheel and a yellow deluxe compound bar as your first polishing step. For your second step we recommend a pink airway buffing wheel paired with our purple high luster compound bar. As far as speed when polishing we recommend 2200 to 2600 RPM.
Do you need to wear a respirator when metal polishing?
Yes it is strongly recommended and even suggested it should be required to wear a respirator when polishing. We strongly recommend this respirator as it offers great protection and is affordable. You can buy it HERE its only $ 40 and it will PROTECT you!
BEST Full Face Respirator for metal polishing $ 40
HOW TO POLISH ALUMINUM
To polish aluminum and stainless steel, pair the appropriate metal buffing and polishing compound (as listed above) with a smaller diameter airway buffing wheel to get into the hard-to-reach areas.
