How to give an unsightly, dull and rough surface a mirror-shiny presentation? Polish it up. The thinnest layers of worn and deformed material are removed using a special treatment, which can be mechanical, chemical or physical (ion irradiation). Outside of laboratories and workshops, the most affordable mechanical polishing with polishing discs is usually used.
Polishing with grinder
Bulgarian is a universal grinding tool. Allows using various attachments not only to grind (clean off irregularities from the surface), but also to cut and polish (ensure smoothness and shine) materials of various density:
- wood,
- metal,
- stone,
- concrete,
- glass,
- plastic.
Abrasive discs are used for cutting. For grinding, in addition to abrasive discs, diamond discs or cups, petal discs and round nozzles with Velcro are used. To the latter, you can attach sandpaper circles to the adhesive surface. If the emery wheel is replaced with felt,the tool will polish.
The use of a polishing disc on a grinder is possible, but undesirable, since the rotation speed here is too high - at least three thousand revolutions per minute. The work of polishing machines is much more efficient. They operate on the same principle as the grinder, and may look the same, but the number of revolutions per minute is much less - a maximum of eight hundred.
Polishing machines and their analogues
Special polishing machines cost at least three thousand rubles. Many craftsmen who do not want to incur extra costs do without them. In half an hour, the grinder is converted into a polishing machine, if the master can understand electrical circuits and solder.
There are easier options - it is perfectly acceptable to use a drill or a screwdriver.
They are put on special nozzles - polishing discs. The outer surface of the disks is working, the inner one is used to attach to the tool.
Two types of mounts
There are two options for attaching nozzles to polishing machines - using a thread (the disc is screwed to the machine) and using Velcro (more versatile). The reliability of fastening of both types of nozzles is comparable, but on condition that the manufacturer of the disks is known.
Judging by the reviews, it happens that grinding and polishing discs quickly fly off, literally after one or two minutes of work, and do not stick again. And this is typical not only for cheap, but also for expensive products. Apparentlywe are talking about products that imitate well-known brands.
Most often, the need to use polishing discs arises in connection with putting in order the appearance of the car. Small roughness and chips are removed (abrasive treatment), shine and specularity of stainless steel parts, body coatings, headlights are provided (protective treatment).
In this case, pastes are applied to the workpieces, which must correspond to the hardness of the disk. The materials used to make the discs ideally spread the pastes over the treated surfaces. A set of polishing discs usually includes three pieces, sometimes suitable pastes, clamping frames and wrenches are sold with nozzles.
How to avoid overheating
The frictional force generated during polishing heats the surface to be restored. However, an increase in temperature above forty degrees can change the structure and shade of the body:
- paint blistering;
- metal sags, creating depressions;
- begins to "stretch" the plastic lighting;
- The glossy texture of the plastic becomes matte.
The skill and high qualification of the polisher, the use of machines equipped with water cooling, the use of circles with an increased contact surface and perforations to remove heat help to prevent troubles of this kind. The heat resistance of the material is important - there are discs made of hard foam rubber with a coarse-mesh structure, which almost do notheating up.
Another way to avoid excessive heat is to use diamond polishing pads for dry surface treatment.
Such diamond circles are called turtles, because the pattern of the working surface resembles the structure of the shell. The polishing properties of the “turtle” are provided by diamond chips embedded in a flexible plastic base. The grit starts at fifty millimeters, but polishing requires a grit of 1500-3000.
Felt and cloth
Polishing pads have elasticity and low electrical conductivity for safety. They are durable and wear resistant. Felt circles are most demanded. They are a single-component fiber made from synthetics or a mixture of synthetic and natural fibers. Material pressed (softer impact) or wicker (aggressive impact). There are usually three product categories:
- coarse - for bodywork;
- fine-haired - for headlights and instruments;
- intermediate option (semi-coarse) - for the body, parts and tools made of stainless steel.
Felts are used for initial, rough polishing. It is desirable to carry it out at low speeds. The advantage of the material is its low cost, the ability to heat up less than foam rubber and suitability for most of the work. The disadvantage is the ability to quickly become contaminated, so it must be stored in a package, preferably paper. You can partially clear the circle duringrotation with a pumice stone.
When the rough polishing is done, it's time for the felt tips. They are rarely used dry - usually with pastes or water. Also suitable for headlights and windows.
Foam, vulcanite and leather
One of the well-known manufacturers of circles made of wool, felt and foam rubber is 3M. It specializes in the creation and sale of consumables. 3M polishing pads are used for washing and dry polishing machines.
Foam rubber circles have a more delicate effect on the coating of modern cars, for which they are often preferred to felt. They come in different hardness. Manufacturers usually offer the following color range:
- white - has maximum rigidity;
- orange - universal, suitable for almost all occasions;
- black is soft.
Foam pads absorb too much paste. To reduce their consumption, as well as to cool the surface, frequent wetting with water is advisable.
At the final stage of polishing, it is important to use vulcanite discs (this is rubber with the addition of abrasives). They give the car a mirror-like finish.
The skin is taken for polishing jewelry made of metals and stones. In car services, it is rarely used, only for certain parts. Polishing should be dry and very careful as the material heats up quickly.
Dental polishing materials
Construction, automotive maintenance and woodworking do not limit the scopepolishing wheels. Modern dentistry uses similar principles of work with Sof-Lex polishing discs. These are small plastic products with a diameter of nine and a half and 12.7 mm. They allow filigree micropolishing of the restored tooth surface.
For ease of use, polishing discs "Sof-Lex" are made in tint color options. The darkest ones are taken with rough processing, the light ones have a super-fine surface for fine polishing. The sequential change of discs of four shades allows you to get a perfect effect. By the way, the discs are produced by 3M - it is also known as a manufacturer of breakthrough products in dentistry.
Results
Thus, polishing wheels are a modern and sought-after product in many service, manufacturing and medical industries. They make it possible to get rid of minor scratches, defects and damage even at home. It is only necessary to take into account that the nozzles are consumables, so they need to be replaced in a timely manner to achieve literally brilliant results.
