Buffing Wheel Information
Fastest and most efficient method to buff high-gloss polyester finishes
Using professional hand-held and bench-top polishers with solid bar compounds.
Using professional hand-held and bench-top polishers with solid bar compounds.
Guidelines for buffing wheel setup:
• Use Professional Polishers. For hand-held, a Soft Start and Variable Speed 3,500 rpm similar to the DeWalt Polisher.
• Combining multiple wheels is only limited to the power and specifications of the polisher (Mfr. Specs.).
• Combined wheel width for hand-held also depends on the strength and endurance of the operator.
• Hand-held requires an Adapter Assembly for fastening 1/2" arbor hole wheels to 5/8" shaft polisher with 1 1/2" and 3" shaft bolts.
• All Buffing Wheels available online have 1/2" arbor holes. Buffing wheels with larger arbor holes will need a Reducer Bushing.
• Hand-held use 8", 10", and 12" wheels up to 2 3/4" combined center width. Best for assembled furniture and pianos.
• Bench-top use 6" and 8" wheels; 1 or more combined per side. Best for unassembled parts and metal hardware.
• Buff widths (approx.): 20-Ply Cotton=1/4" • 40-Ply Cotton=1/2" • 59/60-Ply Cotton=3/4" • 20-Ply Canton=3/4" • 30-Ply Canton=1"
• Buff face widths will also 'spread out' during use, significant for loose buffs to slight for spiral sewn buffs.
Cautions before using buffing wheels:
• Make sure the finish is Polyester. Buffing wheels are too aggressive for most high-gloss non-polyester finishes.
• To make things even more complex, manufacturers may mix finishes within a product. The primary finish may be polyester but some parts may be another finish. For example, some piano manufacturers may use polyurethane or lacquer (e.g. legs, benches); becoming more common is the use of high-gloss plastic or laminate (e.g. music shelf, keybed facings). Advice ... If plastic, stay away, very little can be done with this material outside of cleaning and possibly applying a Final Finish by hand.
Guidelines for buffing wheel methods:
• Buffing wheels work best with high quality Menzerna Solid Bar Compound on both polyester finishes and metal hardware.
• Apply solid compound by holding the end of the bar against the face of the buff while rotating at a moderate speed.
• Coat the entire buff face width with a thin and evenly spread layer of solid compound. Re-apply as needed.
• If using paste or liquid compound, apply evenly to the finish not the buff. We recommend Buffing Pads for this compound.
• Use caution when buffing, especially the first-time. Be less aggressive until comfortable with only the force needed to be effective.
• Applying too much pressure when polishing can damage the finish. It may cause a 'burn' effect which is very difficult to repair.
• Wear Safety Glasses, Goggles or Face Shields whenever using high-speed polishers.
• Use separate buffing wheel setups for each compound level (Pre-Polish - Intensive Polish - Final Finish).
• Periodically clean wheels with a Buff Rake. If compound is 'caking' too often, use less compound.
Note: Click Buffing Wheel product pictures or 'details' for description of the best use for each style of buff.