WhistlinBob wrote:Loren, The kits I use happen to come with five polishing rouge sticks. This system combined with my buffer wheel set to slow speed is how I give my finished aluminum products there mirror finish.Thicker walled aircraft grade aluminum is very tough. The finest grade rouge removes very little material. I start with the next grade up.If removal of to much material is a concern a polishing cloth and the fine rouge and some elbow grease will give you the same results but at a time premium.
Time I don't have.
Bob, I understand what you're saying, and I have no doubt what you are using works well for your purposes (although I'm not certain exactly what those are) however, I'm attempting to clarify in an effort to avoid confusion for those with little or no experience, who are specifically interested in polishing already made whistles.
To that end: In the jewelery trade, there are several different types of buffing compounds, but typically only the finest (least abrasive) are referred to as "Rouge", which come in different colors for different metals, although the red works well for most common metals, and as MB suggested, White Diamond might be a good choice for aluminum, as it is made for softer metals. Some of the compounds you are using, are very likely not rouge or White Diamond like, but heavier cutting compounds, which would be inapropriate for polishing already finished whistles simply in need of a touch up.
Also, bench top buffing machines often only come with one speed, which may be relatively high. This, when combined with something more abrasive than than the standard rouge, may take metal off very quickly, particularly in the hands of someone not experienced with wheel buffing and compounds.
Finally, with regard to different types of aluminum: Certainly some are hardier than others, however in general, the type of aluminum we most often see whistles made from, is softer/less abrasion resistant than the Brass, Nickel and Silver we see in whistle bodies and parts, so I'm simply urging caution. Certainly those with experience, like yourself, don't need this advice, for others however, it might mean the difference between a polished whistle, and a ruined one, if you see what I mean.
Loren
Sorry, PhilO, kind of shot you down for that one, didn't I?
