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Mini Mop Polishing Kit Instructions

What is Polishing?

Polishing, or buffing, is the process of removing scratches and abrasions from a surface and creating the desired brightness of finish on that surface. Polishing, like using sand paper, consists of procedures each of which is less abrasive than the previous. A combination of mops and compounds are used with a buffing machine or a household electric drill (pneumatic tools may also be used but only at relatively low speeds, 4000 rpm max). It is the particular combination of mop and compound which gives the desired cut/colouring action.

For polishing soft metals (copper and brass) there are two processes which must be followed in order:
Process 1: White Stitch mop with Green compound.
Process 2: Unstitched G Quality mop with Blue compound.

For polishing harder metals (Aluminium, Steel, iron and stainless steel) there are three processes which must be followed in order:
Process 1: Sisal mop with Grey compound.
Process 2: White stitch mop with Green compound.
Process 3: Unstitched G Quality mop with Blue compound.
 

Important 

Please remember to clean and degrease the item you wish to polish. Unclean/dirty/greasy material should be prepared properly before being polished.

For polishing soft metals (Copper and Brass) start at 7 on the step by step guide. There is no need to use the sisal mop with the grey compound as it is very aggressive and used for Aluminium, Steel, Iron and Stainless steel.

The polishing kit will not remove metal or if parts are heavily scratched, marked or scored then suitable abrasives should be used (flapwheel, abrasive cloth/paper, rubbing blocks etc).

Step by step guide to using your polishing kit

  1. Attach arbour to drill and fix tightly.

  2. Attach sisal mop onto arbour and screw tightly.

  3. Run the drill and apply Grey compound to the sisal mop for about 2 seconds. As the compound is wax/abrasive based so the motion of the spinning mop generates heat which melts the wax/abrasive onto the polishing mop. 

  4. Apply the mop to the item to be polished with medium/hard pressure. It is very important that you remove all marks/scratches and leave a uniform finish. 

  5. Apply more Grey compound to the sisal mop if needed. 

  6. When all scratches/marks are removed and the work piece has a uniform dull finish remove sisal polishing mop. 

  7. Attach White stitch mop onto arbour and screw tightly. 

  8. Run the drill and apply Green compound to the white stitch mop for about 2 seconds. 

  9. Apply the mop to the item to be polished with medium pressure. This will remove the dull finish left by the first process and leave the work piece with a semi-bright finish.

  10. Apply more Green compound to the white stitch mop if needed. 

  11. When you have a uniform semi-bright finish remove the White stitch mop. Attach unstitched G quality mop onto arbour and screw tightly. 

  12. Run the drill and apply Blue compound to the unstitched G quality mop for about 2 seconds. 

  13. Apply the mop to the item to be polished with light pressure. This will remove the semi bright finish left by the second process and leave the workplace with a bright finish 

  14. Apply more Blue compound to the unstitched G quality mop if needed. 

  15. You should now be left with a bright finish. 

  16. Rub the polished article with Vienna Lime powder and a soft cloth. This will remove any grease left on the surface after polishing. 

Tips 

  1. Try to constantly vary the directions of which you polish. This is not always possible but recommended as some articles may be an unsuitable size and shape. 

  2. Use compound sparingly, black grease marks will appear on work piece if too much compound has been applied to mop. Remove black grease marks with cloth. Remember little and often. 

  3. If it is possible, polish across marks/scratches not along them. 

  4. If the surface of work piece is lacquered you must remove the lacquer before polishing, use a household paint remover available from you local DIY store. Remember to wear appropriate safety gear. 

  5. Use a different mop for each compound. Do not mix different compounds on the same mop. 

  6. If you are polishing small articles then you can fix your drill into a vice, this will enable you to polish these small articles with ease. Flexible drill shafts are also available. 

  7. Sometimes when you have polished you may see a slight coat of grease or finger marks on the work piece, these can be removed with a powder called Vienna Lime. Just rub the powder onto the work piece with a piece of polishing cloth. 

  8. Protect polished articles with a good wax polish, we recommend Belgom Alu.

  9. If you wish the Electroplate or lacquer the polished article please make sure you use as good degreaser and do not protect with wax polish. Any dirt or grease/wax will interfere with the adhesion of the plated metal or lacquer. 

 

Safety

Always use safety equipment - Dust Mask, Safety Glasses and Gloves should be worn. 

Always apply the item being finished to the area of the mop which is rotating away from yourself.

 

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