Tool recommendation for polishing polyester finishes ...?

[jim krentzel]

David,

We've had good luck using a Milwaukee Heavy Duty, variable speed polisher,
model #5460.  This polisher is designed for use on auto finishes.  We use
two polishing compounds.  One is called 3M brand microfinish polishing
compound #051131-06011.  This is a thick liquid and cuts pretty fast.  The
other polish is 3M brand perfect-it foam polishing glaze #051131-05996.
This is also a thick liquid, but is much finer cutting.  The biggest trick
of all in polishing poly finishes is to use a foam rubber pad.  Use a
seperate pad for each compound.  After using the pads, throw them into the
washing machine for cleaning.  Foam rubber pads won't leave the swirl marks
that you will get from wool bonnets.  The foam pads have a velcro piece on
the back that requires you to also purchase a special device that connects
the pad to the polisher.  After polishing the finish, wipe it with a soft
cloth or bath towel.  Paper towels leave scratches in the finish.

Jim Krentzel
jim_shari@ruralnet1.com

At 07:11 PM 11/1/99 -0600, you wrote:
>Greetings,
>
>I am in the market for a electric polisher for the final step in polishing
>out some scratches in a high gloss black polyester finish piano.  During
>the PTG convention in July, 1999, in Kansas City, I attended a class taught
>by Phil Glenn.  This hands on class  involved polishing out scratches in a
>high gloss black polyester finish.  The final steps involved a handheld
>electric polishing wheel with a soft buffing wheel and a bar of polishing
>compound.
>
>Today my quest for a handheld electric polishing tool took me to 6
>different hardware/discount stores.  The only polishers for sale in most of
>these places were designed for polishing car finishes.  Unfortunately, I
>couldn't find what I was looking for.
>
>Tool Requirements:
>*Heavy Duty
>*low RPMs (1000-1400)
>*accepts 6" or 8" bench grinder polishing wheels
>
>Does anyone know where such a tool can be purchased?
>
>If not, does anyone have experience (good or bad) with using one of the
>polishers designed for use on cars (the random orbiting polishers with a
>lamb's wool bonnet).
>
>Thanks for any and all responses!
>
>David Vanderhoofven
>