If the workpiece is still hot from the previous processes you can even apply some compound directly to the surface – the more the better! Using a white polishing compound block, apply some compound to your felt disc by offering the bar to the disc whilst the machine is running. Reduce the speed of your grinder to 2-3000 RPM for use with a felt wool polishing pad. So, you have refined your workpiece and removed all scratches and imperfections, you are now ready to polish your stainless steel workpiece. By the end of this process, you should have a smooth, bright satin finish – taking the time to remove imperfections at this stage in mirror finishing will make your final polishing step quicker and more effective. The fine grade silicon carbide abrasive and nylon fibres in grade 2SF (soft & semi-conformable), or in grade 3SF(slightly harder & more durable) imparts a finer / brighter finish. Use a Norton Rapid Blend NEX disc in 2SF to refine your satin finish and keep the grinder speed low. Reduce the speed to 5 – 6,000 RPM and use slow, even strokes at a 10 - 15 degree angle to impart a consistent matt satin finish. Vortex Rapid Blend discs are made of nylon fibres, and lay the foundations for a bright finish to your stainless steel piece. Use a Norton Vortex Rapid Blend disc to blend out scratches from your material removal step. Norton X-Treme R860 flap discs have lower disc wear for longer grinding time, without loss of cut throughout disc life. Use a Norton X-Treme R860 flap disc in grit 80 to remove TIG weld material from your piece. TIG welds also are less likely to leave contaminants and imperfections (such as spatter) on the metal, meaning less re-work is needed following the welding process to get to your final desired finish. MIG welds are great for thick, heavy duty applications, whilst TIG welds are the better choice for thinner pieces of metal. Step by Step Guide For stainless steel applications, choosing a TIG over a MIG weld is invariably the better option. In high-traffic areas, or on pieces where function over form is more important, you're more likely to benefit from imparting a lower grade finish to your workpiece. If something such as a public bannister was imparted with a mirror finish, it'd be covered with visible unsightly finger marks within minutes. It's important to remember that this isn't a desirable finish for everything - it's high-shine which means it does require constant maintenance to maintain the perfect mirror. In more technical terms, a mirror finished steel will have an Ra reading of less than 0.2 - Ra, or roughness average, measures microscopic peaks and troughs in the surface of the metal, the lower the number, the fewer or smaller the peaks and troughs are, meaning that your metal surface is smoother and more reflective. You achieve this smooth surface by working through grit grades in mechanical applications to gradually remove scratches and imperfections from the metal. Not only is it aesthetically pleasing, it's far less susceptible to contamination than rougher surface finishes. What are the main benefits of a mirror finish? Have a look out for objects around you - you'll notice things like your bathroom taps, perhaps a modern coffee table or even your kitchen pots are likely to be finished to a mirror polish. Not only is a mirror finish visually appealing, the gradual removal of scratches in the surface through mechanical polishing processes reduces troughs or grooves in the material that harbour contaminants, such as dirt or bacteria, in day to day use. You'll most commonly find it in aesthetic pieces, such as public architecture, tapes and furniture. On stainless steel, a mirror finish is a highly-polished commercial finish characterised by a bright, shiny and reflective surface. The Norton Guide to Achieving a Perfect Mirror Finish on Stainless Steel with a Right Angle Grinder
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