okay i just did one spoke on amy 15" firebird wheels just to see what to expect when i get the time.....used a power drill...1200rpms.....used tripoli with a spiral sewn buffing wheel....THAT looked great. THEN i used the white rouge with a loose section buff and it clouded it up. i thought the white rouge was suposed to be the best part....so what am i doing wrong???? oh and i think im gonna swing by home depot and get some emory and another wheels to cut the machining lines before i use the tripoli. some one please tell me how to make the white rouge really stand out. p.s. i washed it with dish soap/water between compounds.

 

I found that washing it after polishing actually made it appear shinier. I don't know if I was supposed to do that in the first place or not. But, I have got 2 of my wheels done. Going to start the other 2 in a week or so. I used the polish on my Open Element, and it seemed a little cloudy after polishing, but when I gave it a spraydown with soapy water, rubbed that around, and rinsed it, it was almost a mirror.

 

Perhaps 1200 rpms is too slow? I know the buffing manual I have says 3600 rpms for buffing aluminum. It also says to wash the project between compounds and use metal wash or dish soap, which you said you did.

 

k, i got some emory today...maybe that will make the whole deal quicker, but i wont have time to try today. oh well. maybe i just needed to wash off the residue after the white rouge...will have to try that and see....anyways until then, thanks guys.

 

I am guessing you are just seeing residue after you polish with white rouge. White rouge is just to eliminate ALL scratches and swirls.

I use laquer thinner in between compounds to totally eliminate any residue. Then on the white rouge just buff it til' it's dry and shiny.

I leave mine at the white rouge step for a long time THEN apply just a carnabu wax for protection. Your part will looks it's best right after the white rouge step.


PS.... the ideal buffing speeds would be 1800 to 3600 rpm BUT I don't think that 1200 would mess anything up just take a little longer. Also your emery, although more agressive, may not be enough to cut your casting grooves and lines. You may have to invest in some sanding.