Our Airway Buffing Wheels are expertly crafted using various mill treatments and fabric construction methods to offer wheels with distinct stiffness levels, catering to the specific needs of different metals.Tailored Buffing Wheels for Different Metals Orange and Yellow Wheels: These are meticulously designed for polishing aluminum, delivering impeccable results. Red and Pink Treatments: Specifically formulated for stainless steel, these buffing wheels ensure a brilliant shine. UBM and Flannel Wheels: Engineered for the final finish, these versatile wheels can be effectively used for both aluminum and stainless steel, leaving a flawless surface. You use the edge of the buffing wheel to polish? Yes! Edge buffing is a technique commonly used in conjunction with an angle grinder, a buffing wheel, and compound. Achieve a shiny, polished edge effortlessly. See below: Choosing the Right Size Buffing Wheel for Your Project Selecting the appropriate buffing wheel size is crucial for achieving your desired results. We recommend the 9" Airway Buffing Wheel size for most applications, striking a perfect balance between maneuverability and wheel longevity. If you require more detailed work, consider an 8" buffing wheel. Larger sizes like 10" and 12" are typically reserved for professionals dealing with extensive flat surfaces. Some users prefer 10" Airway Buffs, intending to wear them down to 8" or 9" for detailed work instead of purchasing multiple sizes. Precise Wheel and Compound Pairings for Effective Polishing Achieving a brilliant finish on aluminum and stainless steel involves a precise two-step process: For aluminum, start with our Brown Tripoli Metal Polishing Compound paired with our Orange Airway Buffing Wheel. This step is typically done around 3,000 to 3,500 RPM. Follow up with our Yellow Airway Buffing Wheel combined with our Green Rouge Metal Polishing Compound for the perfect shine. This step is typically done around 2,500 to 3,000 RPM. When polishing stainless steel, the initial step involves the red airway buffing wheel and Black Magic Polishing Compound, followed by the Pink buffing wheel and Yellow Deluxe Compound for added brilliance. This step is typically done around 3,000 to 3,500 RPM. For an exceptional show-quality shine, consider using a Domet Flannel or UBM buffing wheel with our Blue Rouge Metal Polishing Compound, Competition Purple Metal Polishing Compound, or our Blueberry Ultra-Fine Synthetic Polishing Compound, but be sure to keep the RPMs below 2,200 for optimal results. Below is a table showing the maximum safe operating speed for each size of buffing wheel: NOTE: Safety flanges should always be used when mounting a buffing wheel. Safety Flanges are meant to reduce the chances warping of the center plate of the buffing wheel. In addition to offering protection against warping, Safety Flanges also help to keep the buffing wheel securely in place. A buffing wheel rake should be used to prime the buffing wheel to accept compound and to free the buffing wheel of build-up when necessary. How to polish aluminum wheels: To polish aluminum and stainless steel wheels, pair the appropriate metal buffing and polishing compound (as listed above) with a smaller diameter airway buffing wheel to get into the hard-to-reach areas of the wheel. Pro tip: Always rake your buffing wheels. How do I use a Buffing Wheel Rake? The buffing wheel should be spinning at it’s normal speed and the Buffing Wheel Rake should be held securely when held up to a stationary bench grinder or lathe. On a grinder, please exercise caution when raking. We recommend using your feet to hold the Buffing Wheel Rake to the ground and holding the angle-grinder to it. Why should I use a Buffing Wheel Rake? Raking your buff removes hardened and burned on polishing and buffing compound from the edges of your buffing wheel. Compound build up can reduce the efficiency of the buffing wheel while also creating a rougher surface. If you notice a significant decrease in the residual metal dust produced when buffing, rake the buffing wheel and reapply a small amount of metal polishing compound. What Polisher/Grinder Goes best with these buffing wheels? MAKITA 9237C- The best 3,500 RPM polishing machine (PROS & BEGINNERS) MAKITA GA7021 - The best 6,000 RPM polishing machine (PROS) What are the safety requirements for buffing wheels & metal polishing? We HIGHLY recommend that you use a full face respirator mask! This FULL FACE RESPIRATOR MASK is highly recommended and great quality. First Stage/"Cut" Stage: 3,000 to 3,500 RPM Orange Airway Buffing Wheel + Brown Tripoli Metal Polishing Compound for Aluminum Red Airway Buffing Wheel + Black Magic Polishing Compound for Steel Second Stage/"Color" Stage: 2,200 to 2,800 RPM Yellow Airway Buffing Wheel + Green Rouge Metal Polishing Compound for Aluminum Pink Airway Buffing Wheel + Yellow Deluxe Compound for Steel Purple Airway Buffing Wheel + Blue or White Metal Polishing Compound Third Stage/"Finish" Stage: 1,800 to 2,200 RPM Flannel or UBM Airway Buffing Wheel + Blue Rouge Metal Polishing Compound, Competition Purple Metal Polishing Compound, OR our Blueberry Ultra-Fine Synthetic Polishing Compound for both Aluminum and Steel
