Metal Polishing for the Beginner

Do you have rusty hubcaps, dull anodized aluminum, scuffed brass, or scratched steel? Do you need to bring antiques, car parts, or household items to a mirror shine? Do you dread getting out the steel wool and sandpaper to do it by hand?

You don't have to. You can buy accessories for power tools you probably already have to polish any metal, quickly and easily. And you may enjoy the process so much, you'll start a business polishing metal for other people!

TIP: Fit your buff and motor to the size and shape of your project. For instance, a wide, fairly flat object would do best with a large buffing wheel on a bench grinder, while a small object with holes or depressions in its surface would do best with a felt bob or shaped specialty buff and an electric drill.

What You Need to Start

1. Safety gear: Gloves, safety glasses, and dust mask.
2. Motor: Can be a Dremel tool, electric drill, bench grinder, or buffing machine.
3. Buff: May need a felt bob, buffing wheel, or specialty buff.
4. Compound: Abrasive to remove scratches, and a polish to bring metal to a mirror finish.

TIP: Use a separate buff for each compound, and keep buffs clean. This keeps contaminants from scuffing your newly polished metal.

What Not to Buy For Beginners

• High horsepower buffing machine
• Buffs made of "special" material other than 100% cotton
• "Special" compounds for just one type of metal

TIP: Clean your buffs frequently with a wire brush or buff rake to remove excess compound. This keeps compound from getting smeared on your metal and extends the life of your buffs. 

Quick Color Guide to Compound

• Dark Brown (in tube) - heavy abrasive
• Brick Red (in tube) - very coarse heavy abrasive
• Dark Pink bar - jeweler's rouge, very light abrasive
• Rust Brown bar - lubricant : combine with heavy abrasive
• Light Gray bar - light abrasive
• Green bar - polish for copper
• White bar - all-purpose polish