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plating, anodizing, & finishing Q&As since 1989




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Stainless Steel Polishing

2002

I am very new to metalworking and polishing but I would like to strip the paint of a motorcycle exhaust (hi-temp paint on a GS500) and polish the metal (which I'm assuming is stainless steel).

   

So far I have used: 1) a stitched buffing wheel with tripoli [affil link] as the cutting compound 2) a loose-leaf calico buffing wheel with a product called "SSX Cutting Compound" (by the same company, no mention of bar contents). Bar is light green!

I'm getting quite good results and the finish is almost perfect so far but not mirror-like.

Should I purchase jeweler's rouge [affil link] or will this have no effect on Stainless Steel ? What might I be doing wrong ? What is the 'recommended' compound to use for SS after tripoli ?

Matt Kay
- Sydney, NSW, Australia