An introduction to buffing
Selection of the finish is probably one of the most important economic and practical questions confronting the manufacturer of an article of commerce. One must consider and often reconcile the conflicts of merchandising demands and manufacturing limitations. Often, too, because of shortages of materials, shifting markets, or changes in merchandising ideas, he must quickly change either the finish or the method of finishing. So, in selecting a finish, these fundamental principles may serve as a guide.
- Articles with a high luster finish are bright and shiny when first unwrapped, but soon show finger marks and scratches.
- Articles with a satin finish or dull finish generally retain their good looks for a long time and are not easily marred.
- In producing a satin effect, the finish will blend with mold marks, die marks and scratches. This blending will eliminate one or more finishing operations. This will lower production costs.
- Serious consideration should be given to the design of the article so that all unnecessary projections, impressions, angles and recesses are eliminated. Simplifying the design simplifies finishing operations and eliminates the need to use narrow, small or special types of buffing wheels which increase finishing costs. Many times saving in polishing and buffing operations more than offset the cost of extra machining to remove metal.
Generally, buffing can be divided into four classifications:
- Satin finishing – for producing satin, brushed or butler finish.
- Cut-Down Buffing – for producing a preliminary smoothness.
- Cut and Color Buffing – for producing smoothness and some lustre.
- Color Buffing – for the production of a high gloss or mirror finish.
In this manual there are individual pages describing the techniques involved in these four buffing classifications. On the individual metal or alloy sheets we have recommended specific JacksonLea liquid compounds pressure gun and JacksonLea bar compounds for various buffing operations.
Trouble shooting guide for all automatics and semi-automatics
| problem |
Solution |
| 1. No cut. |
A. Check compound application.
B. Are guns clear and spraying?
C. Increase compound pressure.
D. Increase spray time.
E. Increase dwell time.
|
| 2. Compound left on part. |
A. Check compound application.
B. Reduce compound pressure.
C. Reduce wheel pressure.
D. Increase on spray time. |
| 3. Light buff (poor quality) |
A. Check temperature of buffs.(Too Hot?)
B. Check wheel settings.
C. Are guns spraying?
D. Are wheels worn out?
E. Slow the machine down as last resort. |
| 4. Buffs slipping. |
A. Do flanges have keys in them?
B. Are spacers and arbor holes correct?
C. Has nut bottomed out on thread?
D. Reduce buff pressure. |
| 5. Inconsistent finish. |
A. Are parts slipping on the fixture?
B. Are fixture heights inconsistent?
C. Check for air in the compound line.
D. Check for trash in the compound line.
E. Is on and off time on the compound timer set too far apart on the off time?
F. Is pressure on the compound line high enough?
G. Is pump operating properly? |
| 6. Poor buff life. |
A. Reduce buff pressure to “Quality Break Point”.
B. Check desired amperage draw (Predetermined).
C. Are buffs getting too hot?
D. Is compound application properly set:timers, pressures, clean filters, pump running? |
| 7. Buffs overloading with compound. |
A. Reduce the “ON” time at the timers.
B. Set buff pressures deeper.(More amps).
C. Make sure buff is not slipping on the arbor. |
| Build up of the buffing head of compound on the wheel should be damp and not “soggy”. Small lands or cutting areas should be in a defined manner on the face of the buff, much as the lands on a polishing belt. |
| 8. Wheel ragging or tearing. |
A. Too much wheel pressure.
B. Wheel running in the wrong direction.
C. Wrong buff for the part.
D. Not spaced properly.
E. Buff out of balance.
F. Not broken in properly, by increasing timers and pressures on the compound. |
| Whenever possible, do not over pressure the buff before a good amount of compound has been applied to the face of the buff and gradually lowered to the part to help lay all of the threads down on the buff face. This will begin to build up the desired cutting face. |
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