Buffing compounds

[Rico DE]

I have four Straight razors I acquired at antique shops that I wanna clean & polish up before I send them out to be honed. One article I read used Dico buffing compounds E5 (Grey), CR1 (Green) and WR1 (White). Ace carries Dico, but all the area stores are out and would have to order it with a lead time of 7 days.
I haven’t used buffing compounds before, so don’t know anything about them. Are the grits & colors standard across all brands, or do they differ? Do I get the same color compounds as Dico but in another brand? I did find compounds at Harbor Freight, but I don’t know how they would compare to the Dico compounds.

Thanks
Rico

 

[daflorc]

go to jantz knife making supply and read everything on that site.

 

[Winblows]

is it possible to use buffing compounds in hand ? on a cloth ?

 

[daflorc]

That would be like cleaning a basketball court floor with a toothbrush.

 

[Winblows]

^ Ok. I'll stay away, I don't like basketball ...

 

[totorlekiller]

I have tried and sadly, I concur.

 

[johnmrson]

No, I don't think that colors are universal across brands.

 

[seattleshaver]

is it possible to use buffing compounds in hand ? on a cloth ?

You can use some Mother's metal polish that way (and I do) but it only goes so far. If you want to have a razor that has some rust and make the whole thing have a mirror finish you can't do it by hand I don't think unless you are in prison with a long sentence and nothing else to do

If you want to get rid of most of the rust and have a shiny blade with a few duller spots you can use Mother's by hand. I don't have a Dremel or any buffing/polishing wheels so I settle for that method.

 

[Rico DE]

I tried the Mothers metal polish. It shined up the blade real nice and removed some of the spots after an afternoon.
I have a Dremel and will try it on the lowest speed with the compounds and use the Mothers as a final polish.

Rico

 

[weizemanner]

I mostly use the MAAS metal polish on a microfiber cloth by hand. Works on metal plastic and bone/horn. For straight razors I use the widest dremel felt wheel and cover it in MAAS and use the lowest speed. Keep it away from the edge, and always keep which direction the wheel is spinning in mind. Also remember that polishing creates a lot of heat so keep some cold water handy as to not ruin the temper of the steel or burn your hands.

 

[Soldierdan]

White Diamond polish was brought up in a thread recently and I picked up a bottle. Kinda pricey at $14.99 per bottle, but it can be used by hand or with a dremel, and produces amazing results. It eliminates rust and tarnish pretty well with minimal working.

 

[Soldierdan]

Here is a link to some of people's results:

​http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showth...is-excited-about-a-product-but-WOW!-Pic-heavy

 

[Winblows]

You can use some Mother's metal polish that way (and I do) but it only goes so far. If you want to have a razor that has some rust and make the whole thing have a mirror finish you can't do it by hand I don't think unless you are in prison with a long sentence and nothing else to do

If you want to get rid of most of the rust and have a shiny blade with a few duller spots you can use Mother's by hand. I don't have a Dremel or any buffing/polishing wheels so I settle for that method.

I'll try Mother's ...
Thanks for your help.

PS.: I don't expect making any "sentence" in the near future. And yes, I have a Dremel.

 

[Chaloney]

go to jantz knife making supply and read everything on that site.

The stuff on their "polishing tips" page (http://www.knifemaking.com/category-s/132.htm), or is there more elsewhere?

 

[Winblows]

Is it possible to get a shiny blade using the Dremel with the right compound ?

 

[Soldierdan]

Is it possible to get a shiny blade using the Dremel with the right compound ?

I use a progression of compounds and polishes after sandpaper. If there is rust and pitting, its really difficult to use just compounds. I wouldn't even attempt it.

 

[Winblows]

I've used my Dremel with red and black compound on a vintage razor. After about 8 hours of work, nothing happened.

 

[Heespharm]

I've used my Dremel with red and black compound on a vintage razor. After about 8 hours of work, nothing happened.

Huh? Why didn't you stop after the first hour?? I start at 220 and progress up through micromesh, then use black,red,then white dico polish.... Mirrory shine

 

[Soldierdan]

Huh? Why didn't you stop after the first hour?? I start at 220 and progress up through micromesh, then use black,red,then white dico polish.... Mirrory shine

+1 except I add the green, and then White Diamond as a finisher.

 

[Winblows]

Never give up, then give it a new try (did I say this before ?) ....