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  for Metal Finishing since 1989
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How to Cut before Color

I am color polishing stainless steel assemblies, using cotton buff and stick compound. When I receive an assembly to be finished out, the individual parts were polished from mill finishes at an outside source, then welded into their final assembly. My task is to remove the spatter & smoke, and clean & re-buff the entire assembly. All goes well except for buffing out the grinder & sander marks, scuffs, and other such dings. I haven't found anyway to produce a fast enough cut to make that part of the job efficient. Also, I have attempted to cut and color from a mill finish with the same time consuming results. Evidently there is a step I'm not aware of that will cut much faster yet leave the surface ready for color buffing. I would greatly appreciate any advice anyone would care to offer for a method of a fast cutting prep for color buffing.

Kay Adose
- Houston, Texas

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Are you creating the grinding marks? Whoever is should consider using a non-woven wheel if possible or switch to a finer grinding wheel to minimize the depth of the marks. To correct this problem, you yourself should consider re-grinding with a 240 grit or finer wheel system or maybe the non-woven wheel might work.

AF Kenton
retired business owner - Hatboro, Pennsylvania

Thanks, that did make a big difference.

Kay Adose
- Houston, Texas