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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    102

    Default Polished Mild steel looks Blotchy

    Ive recently folded a piece of Mild Steel up to become a Hand Saw back, I知 now wanting to polish it up to a high lustre(mirror Finnish) if I can,its only 19 mm wide by about 160 mm long,so not a huge endeavour an I知 only hand sanding it,tho I did skim over it using a Little Velcro pad on a Dremel with some 120 grit Initially.
    Then whent back to 80 grit wet and dry working up too 2000 grit.
    I will when I get the chance use some polishing wheels but I知 currently in lockdown in Melbourne,an my polishing equipment is in Ballarat.




    I can almost get the shine I want but I keep getting this kind of weird effect showing up on the metal its not previous grit scratch marks,tho in the pics there are some,its more like a stain in the metal its self, its across the whole back,I知 on attempted number two,an looks like I be going for a third attempt.

    I知 confident I知 not going too the next grit to early,tho maybe not.





    I think you can see were my problem is in the last picture,but I apologise I知 crap with a camera.

    Cheers Matt.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    Norwood-ish, Adelaide
    Age
    59
    Posts
    6,540

    Default

    Steel does have a grain - it may be that you getting some of that coming through from the original hot rolling (bit like damascus steel but not as uniform)

    Michael

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    102

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Michael G View Post
    Steel does have a grain - it may be that you getting some of that coming through from the original hot rolling (bit like damascus steel but not as uniform)

    Michael
    I had considered it might just be grain pattern showing through, if that痴 the case I知 pretty mush stuck with it.

    Cheers Matt.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    North Brisbane. Qld. Australia
    Age
    70
    Posts
    1,511

    Default

    Reminds me of a saying. No matter how much you polish a .... it will still be a ....

    Try bead blasting for a satin finish and clear coat. Why does it need to be shiny?
    Nev.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Melbourne
    Age
    34
    Posts
    1,075

    Default

    I can bead blast at work if you want, assuming we're ever let out of lockdown...
    Gear cutting specialists and general engineers www.hardmanbros.com.au
    Fine pitch gear cutting from 0.1 Module www.rigear.com.au

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    102

    Default Polished Mild steel looks Blotchy

    Thanks for the offers on the Bead Blasting an that is a nice look,but I was wanting a bit of Spit an polish on this one.

    Cheers Matt.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
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    Melbourne
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    Default

    Chrome or nickel plating will do that
    Gear cutting specialists and general engineers www.hardmanbros.com.au
    Fine pitch gear cutting from 0.1 Module www.rigear.com.au

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    102

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by elanjacobs View Post
    Chrome or nickel plating will do that
    I had actually brought some Silver Polish,only to find out when reading the fine print its only for Brass or Copper Polished Mild steel looks Blotchy.

    Cheers Matt.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
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    Melbourne
    Age
    34
    Posts
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    Default

    A lot of common silver polishes remove tarnish by chemical reaction, not abrasion, so it likely wouldn't have done anything anyway.
    Gear cutting specialists and general engineers www.hardmanbros.com.au
    Fine pitch gear cutting from 0.1 Module www.rigear.com.au

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Nov 2019
    Location
    Brisbane
    Age
    69
    Posts
    452

    Default Polishing steel.

    Hello Matt.
    You will be able to raise a good gloss on that job with a sisal mop and medium Greasy polishing compound. Just be careful with the mop as they draw a bit of power and can burn out your drill/grinder.
    Regards
    BC

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    102

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by steamloco1954 View Post
    Hello Matt.
    You will be able to raise a good gloss on that job with a sisal mop and medium Greasy polishing compound. Just be careful with the mop as they draw a bit of power and can burn out your drill/grinder.
    Regards
    BC
    Thanks BC,
    The problem is not so much being able to bring up the gloss level, it痴 the annoying under lying staining that is bothering me(Un polite words)

    Cheers Matt.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    9,088

    Default

    Is this sheet steel or hot rolled bar?

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Melbourne
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Stustoys View Post
    Is this sheet steel or hot rolled bar?
    I think its hot rolled flat bar ?.

    Cheers Matt.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Simplicity View Post
    I think its hot rolled flat bar ?.
    Thought it might be. I vaguely recall coming across this before but cant remember the details(great help hey?)
    It may not go that deep, you maybe able grind it out, know anyone with a belt grinder(or is that in Ballarat also)?
    If the length isn't that critical you could try reworking the last 10mm and if it doesn't improve just cut that piece off.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    102

    Default

    I got over sanding my finger prints off,

    still more work to do,the top front of the saw plate(Bull noose)is getting a trim,it looks clunky.




    Cheers Matt.

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