When looking for a product to polish stainless steel, there are a wide range of choices of polishing wheels to consider. Deciding on which wheel and how well it is used on the stainless steel will the largest bearing on what the final resulting finish on the workpiece will be.
To get the best results we need to first know about the main characteristics of stainless steel. Know for its corrosion-resistant it is tough, durability and has a high shine and as the name says “stainless” surface if it is buffed and polished in the right way. To get the required result the right products are needed as well as a skilled operator.As always, some thought is needed in choosing a product, one thought is what type of bond is keeping the abrasive attached to wheel. There are three main options: resin bond, ceramic bond, and metal bond. All of these bonds have different advantages and disadvantages during their use when used on stainless steel.Resin bonds are the most soft and most flexible out of the three options, making them the preferred option for the early stages of the grinding. They give the operator the best control and limit the risk of damaging the work piece surface. The disadvantages are that they wear down fast and should not be used for the final stages of buffing.Ceramic bonds are the mid range choice when it comes to hardness and give good performance when used in refining the stainless steel surface after the earlier coarser grinding stage. They give a consistent polish while also being able to give a more aggressive polish than the resin bonds. Ceramic bonds will not load up with waste material, which can happen with other bond types.Metal bonds are the hardest and long lasting choice, which makes them the best choice for the last polishing stages.They do not lose their structure even when strong force is applied and can shine the work piece to a very high level. The disadvantage is, they do require careful usage so they do not cause scratches, marks and/or other imperfections.When choosing a polishing product the abrasive grit of the abrasive used in the wheel will also need to be taken into account.Rough grit abrasive grains are used to prepare the workpiece for later polishing, while the higher number grits are used to achieve the final result that stainless steel is known for. It is common practise to start with the rougher grits and then change to the higher numbered grits changing the polishing product as needed.Below are some of the discs and wheels options that are useful and effective for stainless steel polishing.1. Fiber discs are made of compressed fibers (hence the name) that are used to hold the abrasive grain in place. Fiber discs are sold in grits from rough to medium and are great for the first steps of removing welds and smoothing any surface impurities . Fiber discs are also a great bridge product when changing from the grind stage to the polish stage on the work piece.2. Wool buffing wheels are made from using compressed wool fibers, the wheels are soft and flexible, they are often used together with buffing or wax compounds. Mostly used in the final stages of polishing to achieve the required finish on the stainless steel. These wheels can be used on both manual and automated polishing machines.3. Microfiber pads are a modern manufactured version of traditional buffing products, they are made with really small and tightly woven synthetic fibers that give a firm pressure on the work pieces surface. Microfiber pads are really good at both cutting and polishing without creating marks our imperfections and also can be washed and reused.4.Cloth buffing wheels: As the name suggest these wheels are made from cotton or linen and can also be used together with polishing compounds to give a bright shine on stainless steel. They offer a consistent and cost efficient way in the final polishing stages.5.Synthetic foam pads: This product is lightweight and an cost effective option when spot-polishing or used in confined spaces. The foam pads come in a range of different thicknesses and can also be used together with a large selection of polishing compounds that can give either a satin or glossy finish depending on the compound used.When deciding on which product to use for polishing the stainless steel work pieces, some thought should also be given to with the wheel is suitable for your current polishing machine, either if you are using a the handheld machines with attachments or the bigger industrial machine setup. The quality,size and specifications of the product should be suitable for the equipment so that the operators are able to keep the safe.In addition to the polishing wheel itself, using the right technique is needed to achieve the correct finish. Keeping the right amount of pressure on the work piece and moving the product in the right manner across the surface of the work piece are all essential skills that experienced polishers have.The place the wheel is being used in and its surrounding environmental factors is the final consideration, things like the how hot it is and humidity of the factory can modify the process and give varying results depending what season it is. It is commonly recommended that polishing work is done in a well-ventilated area that has the ability to provide stable climate conditions to avoid any negative effects on the product or the workpiece itself.So in the final review, the thought process for selecting the best product for polishing stainless steel consideration should be given to the bond type, abrasive grit, material composition, and if it is suitable for your equipment. Even then whether you decide to use fiber discs, wool buffing wheels, microfiber pads, cloth buffing wheels, or synthetic foam pads, make sure to ensure that you have the correct product for each stage of the polishing process to achieve the required high quality finish you are looking for on your stainless steel surfaces.
+86 18503711019 
Call