Easy Mirror Polish On Steel!

[@WesternIronwoks]

So one thing you should always do is on each step change the direction of the scratches so you can see when the old scratches are gone. I made medievil armor for a living and polished whole suits of armor.

[@davidshaper5146]

I'm assuming you're not 800 years old.

[@aaronorr1450]

Okay so how do you keep the steel from coroding after the final polish

[@brandonbariel8279]

@@aaronorr1450 apparently they used oil and wax on the armor. Some I believe blued the armor for better corrosion resistance

[@aaronorr1450]

@@brandonbariel8279 Thank you

[@pienapple6969]

@@davidshaper5146 😀

[@dragan3290]

I sanded and polished all my wife's pots and pans which are over 20 years old! I have same sanding kit. When I used 3000 grit? It was a mirror finished look. But I buffed and polished! Awesome tutorial!

[@bwhog]

A key step to polishing is to lighten your touch as you work with the polishing compound. Start heavy, clean it off, then go lighter. A final touch with a soft wheel and red rouge would also give you a great final finish.

[@RenKnight347]

Removing all of the mill scale can also be achieved in one shot by soaking the work piece for 24 hours in a tub of distilled white vinegar. Then neutralize the vinegar with a scotchbrite scrub, distilled water and baking soda while utilizing a "light, elbow greased" bath to the work piece. These preliminary steps, provided that you have the time, should minimize, if not eliminate the need for that first aggressive wheel all together. Then, the rest of the kit and it's process can be applied to whatever level of completion is desired.

[@hornytoad1978]

I will try this now thank you 😊

[@iceowl]

i'd start with an angle grinder and a paint stripper disc for black scale, then move to a sanding disc (not a flapwheel), the wider the better, and sand it nice and shiney with a single, slow, even pass, as if you were being a flycutter on a mill. scale just clogs up sandpaper and causes you to have to work harder to get through, potentially leaving gouges, especially with small die grinder tools. save those for finer polishing. i speak from much grinding pit experience and doing this daily so that parts made of structural hot-rolled could be painted and not see any pitting or welds in the final product.

[@vitaminb4869]

I would skip that flap disc as it takes off way too much material and go straight to that scuffing disc. It also works great in removing pitted rust.

[@jdisdetermined]

I've been able to do that easily and also struggled with it. Depends on the hardness of the material and the surface defects you're leveling.. but I agree, as a pro detailer, that is the golden rule, start with minimum aggression and work up *before* you work down.. remove the minimum amount of material possible to achieve the result you're after. But there is the balance there between over working without enough aggression, and over cutting with too much aggression. Learning that balance just takes experience.. at least it did for me.. ✌✌

[@Oh6Torch]

Yeah, I would strongly recommend anyone polishing a flat surface to use something flat throughout the process. A rubber sanding block comes to mind. Also, water and wet sanding paper are your friends. Dry and seal with wax or a light oil afterwards depending on its use. Those waves look unsightly, IMO. And, you didn’t discuss the grit in each step. Seems that 60, 150, 400 and finally polishing would be enough. Other than that, good info. Thanks for sharing.

[@douglassiemens4245]

Nice info. Laughed at the part where "the maximum speed for this disc is 9,500 RPM, so let's set the grinder speed to 10,000."

[@edwardfinn4141]

Douglas Siemens he said 19,500 , so he is good....

[@jessea1218]

10000 rpm is the lowest setting on that die grinder

[@onemeterpeter7137]

Yeah Douglas Siemens, get the siemen out of your ears

[@justanotheraviator2357]

@@edwardfinn4141 he said 9500 2:55

[@kellykirk4151]

There is a difference from recommended speed and do not exceed speed. If you’re paying attention to details. Pay attention.

[@onyxtiger25]

Thank you for this video. Raw steel polishing is what I wanted. Great video.

[@alepecchio]

Nice video. After polishing what step must be taken to avoid rust?

[@phunkissartisticcreations2316]

That's a great system, I've always had to work through the grits by mixing and matching with what I had in the shop. I like how this puts everything into a package that you can get all as a kit. Thanks and stay healthy brother!

[@davidanderson3430]

Great video. I going to attempt this process on mild steel for kitchen worktop...maybe!...so likely not to go to a mirror finish.... Any ideas on a suitable final protective coating?...I'm also kinda interest in seeing how the aging process works on mild steel too. Thanks, David U.K

[@protect.your.digits.creations]

Thanks Chris and Pferd for sponsoring you . Stay well you and your girl.

[@russwentz3957]

Thank you for an excellent, to the point, "how to" video! Just what I needed. Subscribed to your channel.

[@davidpaulmert800]

You taught me something thanks man

[@wemcal]

Great video and great information

[@FiidWilliams]

What finishing options there are for steel once it's polished to this level to protect it from moisture??

[@NIGHTNOTLOC]

Have you found anything I just asked the same thing

[@FiidWilliams]

@@NIGHTNOTLOC Yeah - got a couple of leads. Shellac will actually adhere to bare metal. My client has a sample that he's abusing with water to see how it does. My friend/coworker has an industrial finish I'm going to try as well... I'll report back if I get any info on that. Spray on shellac tho ... I'm cautiously optimistic. I'd love to know what experiences people have.

[@crazy4rc]

Ceramic coat.

[@SHREDbro]

Clear Cerakote

[@JCpwnge]

You guys hate wax? I just use woody wax

[@Demon_Pilot_GT]

Hey man thanks for the video. They're so helpful to me 🇮🇪

[@kentuckysleepyhollowband1611]

Hey man just run across your video do you have a quick question haven't researched it yet but figured I would ask after you reach the desired level of polished steel how can you preserve the shine and finish so that it will not rust again or how long will the finish last without anything but a protective polish just a thought really enjoyed the video thank you so much for sharing look forward to the next one

[@bakedbeings]

Look into an epoxy rust guard clear coat, you can find spray cans at big box and auto accessories stores.

[@gregmundo6107]

Excellent demonstration, very instructive

[@markbahlke9091]

This is really great, and helpful. Thank you! Is there a similar product like this for an angle grinder?

[@christopherleemcn3776]

Great quick thoughts.

[@tobycours7942]

Do you put a clear coat on the metal after to keep it from rusting?

[@jakescorpion1]

perfect for knife making

[@FredMcIntyre]

Awesome stuff Chris, thanks for the info! 😃👍🏻👊🏻

[@sheeparebillygoats7221]

Feel like my dremmel just caught me watching porn. And realized ima bout to get this kit

[@darrynruzicka2883]

Once you knock off the mill scale you should go with a flat vibrating sander or DA with preferably ceramic paper or at least paper made for metal. That will keep the surface flat and give a better end result if you are looking for a mirror finish.

[@jeremyspecce]

Darryn Ruzicka I gotta find the bottle but I chemically stripped the mill scale from a project I did and it blew my mind how well it worked compared to how difficult it is to grind it off. Definitely some caustic stuff but damn was it effective and quick.

[@justinmurphy2227]

A DA.....red Scotch Brite from 3M to knock the scale down and off FLAT! Like anything else in the finishing world, it's all about the prep and first step. If you start off with a flat, evenly scratched surface, it makes every other step matter. If you don't do it right on the first step, you just end up with a polished turd. It's be shiny but a crooked, wavy, uneven, turd. LOL. I then wipe some (not spray) WD-40 on the steel. 6in sanding discs back on the DA. Goes like this.... 400 and wipe off with WD40 800 and wipe off with WD40 1200 and wipe off with WD40 3000 and wip off with 80% iso alcohol. Now I polish with a Meguiars yellow polishing pad and their 105 compound. If you work it right, you will not need to polish after this compound but it does take practice. Another thing is, steel can very a lot. Some may not need all these steps. You might be able to go from 400 to 1200 or 800 to 3000. You just to have to observe and watch the sanding marks. I hope SOMEONE reads this. LOL.

[@darrynruzicka2883]

@@jeremyspecce caustic rules!

[@robertocoronado8074]

@@justinmurphy2227 so dry sand then wipe w/ WD40? What is the pertinence of the WD40 step? Look forward to your reply and thanks for all this!

[@jonathanchisholm3319]

Do you need a specific size grinder for these? And if so what diameter does it need to be?

[@ivanhu]

1/4 inch (6.35mm)

[@bontrom8]

How do you maintain and improve its flatness? Can buffing compound be placed between a flat surface and a work piece

[@djturnz]

If you wanted to keep it mirrored, would just a clear coat be enough?

[@quirkymender0953]

I took the scale off my piece with a dremel… took about 20 minutes but now my piece is showing some dips.

[@scottydudley5700]

Could you please provide a link to the polishing kit? I would like to use this system on restoring old knives, specifically high carbon Japanese knives. Thanks

[@gregorysieben4089]

Did this work for you? I'm attempting to restore old japanese sword that some idiot tried to polish with a tiger paw flapping wheel. Smh

[@ruckuswethepeep4384]

Pretty cool, is there a method to polish, with one Rpm tool? Great video 👍

[@GRADmusicandrap]

Where can I find this kit? Would this be reasonable for polising a firearm? Not looking for it to be perfect as it is old, just want to breathe some new life into it.

[@russellrupp6203]

After getting the mirror finish on raw steel what is used to keep it from rusting since raw steel pretty much will start to oxidize right away? I understand the size of the piece will matter.

[@garagemonkeysan]

Nice video. Looks easy. : ) That die grinder looks handy. Mahalo for sharing! : )

[@AdamSmith-fe9jf]

What grit should you start at if you’re looking for a mirror finish (or very close to it) and want to remove as little metal as possible to achieve that finish? The wire frame I’m polishing is thin and not too much material.

[@kevinmontoya7318]

It's not necessary about which grit you start at, it's about which one you finish on before polishing

[@AdamSmith-fe9jf]

@@kevinmontoya7318 If you don’t start off right getting the surface smooth enough, you won’t get a good finish. If I only worried about the final stage of polishing, I may need to go back and start over from a higher grit and do double the work. So, I don’t think that’s correct.

[@kevinmontoya7318]

@@AdamSmith-fe9jf I start at 220 and go up to 2000k

[@tonymonastiere8510]

Mirror, mirror on my steel...Take a look, and tell me how you really feel!?!

[@hardluckangeldragon2786]

I assume this would work the same with an angle grinder if I use the right grits, already have that lying around

[@robertocoronado8074]

Thanks for your work and vids!!

[@daljitsingh8220]

Great information. How do you remove scratches from tungsten carbide and then get mirror finish on it subsequently.

[@jacobmorgan1182]

Blue diamond polish and a similar process but go slow and don't try to apply lots of pressure scratches are ether buffed out or sanded even tungsten carbide it fairly dense so take your time and do long slow and even strokes

[@raydreamer7566]

Will this polishing kit do the same with stainless steel ?

[@jimmywilson1388]

You could have started with the scotch brite clean and strip XT pro disc… They rip through mill scale and I would say they don’t remove any metal but there will be very fine scratches in the metal and you see just a few little sparks so they have to be removing something but it’s very minimal… I wiped mine down with acetone first to remove that little bit of oily residue on the on the mill scale but they don’t tell you to do that, that was just my own personal opinion because I didn’t want to smear that oil all over the bare metal… But it would eliminate the need for the first few discs you used I’m sure. They are really nice to have around. Mill scale, paint and rust is the enemy and the scotch brite pad is the terminator…😂

[@suprspi]

How do you find the kit for more oddly shaped pieces? I feel like a cordless die grinder might be a tool I've been missing. Will that arbor fit a 1/8 collet like on a dremel? I feel like the dremel may not have the torque to make use of the adapter, but it still might be worth a shot.

[@MakeEverything]

The 2” diameter is really good for hard to reach areas and with a 1/4” to 1/8” copper adapter (cheap to find on amazon and eBay) you can run deemed style accessories. I run my 1/8” carbide burrs in this grinder as well

[@gregorysieben4089]

I'm attempting to restore a japanese sword that some idiot tried to polish with a tiger paw grinding disk.. What would be the best method to remove and polish grind marks? FWI it's a WW2 era japanese two handed fighting sword.

[@scottysutherland3568]

Isn't the alumina oxide disk meant for aluminum material, opposed to the low carbon steel you are cleaning up?

[@ron1martens]

Nice work. Very pleasing.

[@zomawiahauhnar4932]

How do you protect the mirror shine metal from fading?

[@mojalefaoliphant5117]

I have been looking for these kits and I can't seem to find them. Do I look for them at moto spares shop or at hardwares?

[@theArtiist_David]

Quick question, what is the life of the mirror finish? will it oxidize and dull over time? If so, what else needs to be done to preserve the quality and longevity of this finish?

[@JCpwnge]

Wax

[@russC13]

Very cool! thanks for the lesson!

[@rafaelalarcon8299]

How do you keep the middle from rusting after you’re finished polishing it

[@joshuasadler9243]

It varies from metal but you can find product to stop rust. Great polishers will just use the polishing process but with top notch product and it'll naturally keep its shine for a surprising amount of time. That is not easy to come by tho usually just comes with experience and knowing the right companies/people

[@j2sjulianmartinez850]

Great video 👍👍

[@yellowmuginc]

I love @Pferd products, especially the combi click system and their polishing products. It's a great tip to check RPM rates, when you're using that final felt polishing pad with compound, try slowing it down to 1500 RPM. They suggest that for the very final step for ultra polished results. 👍

[@MrMcbuck48]

Love that table. I like a cheap ass Harbor Freight electric DA sander with a dimmer switch to control the speed and 5" pads ( no distortion ) and autobody compounds. works good.

[@alexmcgrath7645]

Where cani get the kit I don’t see links

[@drinny26]

Can you use a power drill? Most of us don’t own grinders.

[@noahsteigerwald4123]

I wanted to know this too

[@nicholaslachapelle6256]

@@noahsteigerwald4123 you can, but you won’t be able to set the rpm rate

[@johnfiore9390]

I used 40 80 120 grit and still got grinding marks on it. What grit do I need to make a clear shine and no grinding marks please

[@craigjoseph9374]

Thanks for posting this, it's very much appreciated....

[@shortmentor146]

Can you do that on a car. And when you get mirror finish coret it with clear coat..

[@jasonbuben2708]

Clear coat or polyurethane over it to preserve it?

[@beachhousewa]

What would be a fast way to polish a 2’ x 3’ plate of steel

[@1976sprinter]

How can the polished finish be protected for outside use. Is ot feasible to polish up road wheels and perhaps clear coat them

[@slinkydinkus]

Following… I’d like to do this on th bumpers of my 1958 Chevy Apache but don’t know how it will stand up to the elements. Thoughts?

[@ManCrafting]

Shine boy Shine. 🔥

[@hhighvoltage9345]

if i did this to my pocket knife would it still be strong when i sharpen it?

[@BooshkiiBomb123]

Yes just don’t get it super hot. I would suggest sand paper and Flitz polishing compound with a buffer wheel I polished a few knives and guns like that

[@Pigbully]

@@BooshkiiBomb123 do you have any social media or anyway i can ask you about how you polished your gun? Im trying to polish my ak's

[@edwinmendija8087]

Thank you!!!!!

[@koh9894]

Great demo. Will this work on carbon steel too?

[@timramirez4121]

I have the same grinder but it heats up and shuts down......

[@My3SonsUnisex]

What was the name of the products you used

[@sudaskrishnan7434]

hi good how m,uch is the cost for the polishing items

[@Laidohas]

Nice

[@USNERDOC]

Great video ... thanks!

[@shampsbelford1611]

What is the name of the kit, he says it to fast!

[@NIGHTNOTLOC]

What product do you put on there to make it not rust or corrode after this process?

[@torula]

Look up Sharkhide

[@karmalynn78]

Do people not read through previous comments to see the anti-rust step recommendations others who have worked obviously with the material on an actual professional level? Or am I the only one. To those who are curious but mysteriously only read my comment-it aint spit. Just an fyi....🤭🤣 Im a smartass-better than bein a dumb one! Ok. Ill stfu now. Carry on folks!!

[@annettecastellanosguillen9491]

Wow

[@HogHead504]

How can u keep it from dulling or rusting?

[@jermainelindo6944]

various types of grinder n drummer ( 5)

[@cuddlewear]

WHAT IS THE MAKER OF THIS PRODUCT?

[@robbiesaint7469]

Hi guys whats the name of the kit please

[@bigrickshaberdashery2759]

nice

[@johnchisholm7350]

I can achieve a high shine but the scratches are still there, John. C

[@jordansimpson9519]

Kit seems to be unavailable on amazon and other places. I'm trying to mirror finish an old crowbar.

[@ElevatedEdge]

How flat is it though? I would like to see you run a indicator across it. For a knife or something that would be good but if you make a part with a .001 tolerance could you implement this, or what would be a good way

[@jeremyspecce]

Ridgeline Machine Works hot rolled steel is not that precise to begin with so most of the non flat was from him getting rid of the mill scale. If he didn't have to do that part he could have skipped that flap disk and went straight to the finer grits and polishing, at which point you are probably taking off very minimal material. I assume if you needed a precise piece you'd have a machining step before you got to this point.

[@dannyspells9853]

we’re can I purchase something like this

[@MakeEverything]

There are some links in the description of the video

[@wetdedstuocm]

Interesting.. Where was this stuff 60 years ago.. LOL All we had was elbow grease.. Like your Site.. Peace

[@ssgwilliamson3817]

This is a very slow and ineffective way to polish steel. But a good bench buffer and a variety of wheels for it.

[@thescreaminirishman6401]

I can't very easily maneuver a steel bench or something large around a bench grinder.

[@chronus9083]

@@thescreaminirishman6401 lmaoooo

[@mwtraining4310]

Its uneven as hell?

[@spikedpsycho2383]

belt sander works better

[@firebladex8586]

electric grinders are so bulky

[@amodelman7]

Don’t buy the 3” kit. Buy the 4”. You’ll leave less striations and cover more area at one time.

[@dinotom1]

You have a link for them 4” set, I cant find it anywhere

[@theropesofrenovation9352]

Thank you. Sure is a lot of work. lol

[@raisingh602]

Sorry bro That's not mirror u missed to meany steps

[@christopherrusch3165]

lol can i just pay someone to do this for me

[@celiougo]

polimento em peças pequenas até com a bunda(ass) da para fazer... nunca mostram em peças grandes.. ai sim mostraria que sabem sobre polimento.. see sino sculputer.

[@espjason]

This is rubbish

[@MANEKI-m7r]

Bro! Need more practice

[@akbarpb1556]

I can do better than this.... With only 3 wheels..

[@TankToChest]

I’m a 12volt guy please tell me that thang is 12 volt…

[@MakeEverything]

Yup! M12! Great!

[@TankToChest]

@@MakeEverything That’s amazing 🥲

[@kdtrimble]

nice info-mercial, thanks.