Tutorial FTQ Polishing Attempts

[Mooner]

After trying to polish the frame by hand, I realized I need better tools.
I found a Drill Master micro rotary toolset on eBay for $15 shipped.
Drill Master Light-Duty Light-Weight Rotary Tool Set 80-Piece 69451 | eBay

I got a say, I use this more than my Dremel flex shaft now.
From cutting to sanding to polishing, I was pleasantly surprised.
Very light and portable and easy to change bits.

Mirror finish…

Use the lowest grit 180 to highest grit 600 sanding drum set.
Will from Shoguncustoms said don't skip on grits and to spend more time on lower grit.
Counterintuitive, I spend more time on higher grit for the finer finish but that was his feedback

Amazon product ASIN B074NNY7L1
View: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074NNY7L1?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details

Apply WD-40 during sanding. Apply to the drum and frame.
Tip from Brad from Gledhill Custom.
It softens the polymer and will have a smoother finish with no white ashy.

Higher than 600 grit, I used sandpaper by hand. Obviously, it took me forever.
Will from Shoguncustoms gave me a tip about wrapping sandpaper on a mandrel.

uxcell a16010600ux0647 Abrasive Sanding Disc Sandpaper 1/8 inch Shank Dia Split Mandrel 5pcs (Pack of 5): Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

I have 1000, 2000, 3000 grit sanding papers.
Cut them into a few inch long sections.
Roll each on a mandrel and secure them with a rubber band.
(rubber band was another great tip, had the hardest time securing papers to mandrel)
I would have two sets of each bit.
Applying WD-40, get to polishing until the mirror finishes you desire.

Apply some Nu Finish, Ultimate Black, and Pledge to bring back some oil and shine.

Update: Found a sanding drum on Amazon

Chiloskit 10pcs 180-2500 Grit Sandpaper Grinding Head Sandpaper Bar Stick Abrasive Grinding Mounted Points Woodworking Polishing Tool 1/8 Shank fit Most Rotary Accessories Bit (180-2500 Grit(10PICS))​

Example before sanding drum set and mandrel tools

After sanding drum set and mandrel tools

Quick and dirty polishing…

I got a new PSA Dagger lower and I wanna do quick and fast polishing. Only in the beavertail and under the trigger guard. Started with 600 grit drum with WD-40, then went straight to 1000 and 2000 mandrel sets. Apply some finishes, let it dry and hit it with dry polishing wheels.

Only had a dagger lower for a few days and it's a love hate relationship…

 

[Racer88]

Nice work there!

I got this mini-Dremel "Stylo+" for "small work."

Here it is next to a PF940C for comparison.

One thing, though... with the smaller motor comes lower torque. It's pretty easy to stall.

 

[Michele]

Super informative write up. Thanks
The drill master is also at Harbor Freight for about $10. I use mine quite often as well it’s light weight and vey easy to manipulate.

 

[One Ping Only]

I need one of those drill masters. SOLD! Great advice, as usual, peeps!

 

[Hawkeye]

Great right up!!
Just remember all ways use a higher grit paper to sand out scratches from a lower grit. once I get to a 1000 grit, I switch to a compound like 500 lapping or a #15 diamond using hard and then soft bristle brushes. You can use polishing compounds like you use to get scratches out of your car finish. I use diamond compounds because I have some form when I did work. (Before retirement)

Then switch to hand polishing with a finer grit compound like #9, #6, #3 then I use a plastic polish. Sometimes I will use a very soft cotton bob here before I use a cotton rag by hand.

Just remember to work scratches off by sanding in the opposite direction then the scratch. Once you get into the finer grits use a circle motion but make sure you do it lightly.

keep your brushes and bobs moving so they will not build up heat and start to melt plastic. Polishing frames is an art that you need to get the feel for. It's a lot of work and takes a lot of patience but it is very rewording when finished.