any dremel users in ? polishing /radial discs

[steveo3002]

wondered if we have any dremel users in ?

ive got an alloy item i wish to clean /gentle polish without putting wirebrush marks in or any damage

ive just noticed 3m radial discs sound like they might work? or anyone able to advise what works well

 

[Mee]

I use the polishing compound with the discs, then follow it up with other discs with polishing soap on

 

[steveo3002]

can you offer any advice on the grades of the radials ? want something that wont leave a grain

if it helps compare a brass brush isnt quiet touching it , stainless brush is slightly marking it

 

[Mee]

Are you removing rust?

 

[cumbriasteve]

Are you removing rust?

I think this bit may give a clue

ive got an alloy item i wish to clean /gentle polish

 

[Mee]

Aluminium oxide is aluminium rust.

 

[cumbriasteve]

Aluminium oxide is aluminium rust.

Does Aluminum Rust?
Aluminum corrodes but it does not rust. Rust refers only to iron and steel corrosion.

Aluminum is actually very prone to corrosion. However, aluminum corrosion is aluminum oxide, a very hard material that actually protects the aluminum from further corrosion. Aluminum oxide corrosion also looks a lot more like aluminum (dull gray to powdery white in color), so it isn't as easy to notice as rusted iron.

When iron corrodes the color changes and it actually expands. This expanding and color change can produce large red flakes that we all know as rust. Unlike aluminum oxide, the expanding and flaking off of rust exposes new metal to further rusting. This is why it is so important to provide a barrier so rust doesn't start.

While aluminium doesn't rust, it often becomes dull from corrosion, and is often encrusted with brake dust, calcium, lime, tarnish, grease, oil and hard water stains. Simply washing it off will not work, you need something stronger and more effective to do the job. We recommend Flitz Aluminum Pre-Clean to remove the surface grime, corrosion and buildup followed by Flitz polish (paste or liquid) to restore a brilliant shine. Works great on fuel tanks, gas pumps, mag/alcoa wheels, diamond plate, framing, step plate, engine parts, and more.

Edit: I am not brainy, just good at copy and paste

 

[steveo3002]

it doesnt have any rust , ive used a dremel wire wheel on a couple of spots of corrosion, so was hoping those radial wheels might give a gentle buff to even up the finish

 

[steveo3002]

these things

 

[Mee]

If its just dirt I use the buffing pads for stainless steel on them, wet, this removes all the muck and being plastic means they don't damage the rim. They are usually called Scotchbrite pads.

 

[hotrodder]

Alloy isn't short aluminium either [/pedantic] Steels, brasses & bronzes are always an alloy while aluminium can be commercially pure or an alloy

Not on a dremel but i've used 3m radial bristle brushes for deburring/finishing on lazer cut parts. Not cheap in larger sizes but waaaaaay nicer than using wire brushes to get into fiddly areas (holes, cut out features etc) that can't be reached with convolute deburring wheels

Dunno how fine they go down to as for polishing fiddly stuff i'd use razor buffs (really skinny polishing mops) or felt points. I'd have thought they'd be a LOT better than the 'regular' dremel nylon brushes i.e. they don't self destruct quickly etc. Unless it's a very small, delicate & fiddly part a dremel is gonna be slow and frustrating to polish/satin polish with