Cleaning Zam from Buffing Wheel

[kingson]

Would love advice on how to clean buffing wheels that use Zam polish.

[vegasjames]

They are so cheap, then why not just get a new one for other polishes of that is why ou are trying to get it off. Each polish needs its own buffing wheel.

Looks like you may have used way too much Zam on your buffing wheel. Only apply a little Zam to the wheel at a time. Too much Zam leaves a waxy coating on the cabs. Of you have too much on there, I would use a piece of metal or a dull knife blade to scrape off some of the excess while the wheel in spinning.

[gunsil]

James is right, one needs a different wheel for each compound. If you jut want clean the buff up a bit, I use a dinner fork back and forth while wheel is spinning. Just hold tightly to the fork and go easy. If I want a buff more even I use a hacksaw blade, again, push slowly and gently so buff doesn't grab and throw it. I also agree that it looks like you apply the Zam quite heavily.

[hummingbirdstones]

You can also buy a buffing wheel rake which may be a little safer.  Most of them have a handle on both sides of the rake to make holding onto it easier while the wheel is spinning.


Buffing Wheel Rakes

[kingson]

Jan 4, 2024 18:22:20 GMT -5 vegasjames said:

They are so cheap, then why not just get a new one for other polishes of that is why ou are trying to get it off. Each polish needs its own buffing wheel.

Looks like you may have used way too much Zam on your buffing wheel. Only apply a little Zam to the wheel at a time. Too much Zam leaves a waxy coating on the cabs. Of you have too much on there, I would use a piece of metal or a dull knife blade to scrape off some of the excess while the wheel in spinning.

It's a zam-only wheel, but you're right, I'm using too much. The problem is that it sometimes leaves dark smears on my stones. Thank you vegasjames!

[kingson]

Jan 4, 2024 20:23:34 GMT -5 gunsil said:

James is right, one needs a different wheel for each compound. If you jut want clean the buff up a bit, I use a dinner fork back and forth while wheel is spinning. Just hold tightly to the fork and go easy. If I want a buff more even I use a hacksaw blade, again, push slowly and gently so buff doesn't grab and throw it. I also agree that it looks like you apply the Zam quite heavily.

Great idea, thank you.

[hummingbirdstones]

Jan 5, 2024 8:22:48 GMT -5 kingson said:

Jan 4, 2024 18:22:20 GMT -5 vegasjames said:

They are so cheap, then why not just get a new one for other polishes of that is why ou are trying to get it off. Each polish needs its own buffing wheel.

Looks like you may have used way too much Zam on your buffing wheel. Only apply a little Zam to the wheel at a time. Too much Zam leaves a waxy coating on the cabs. Of you have too much on there, I would use a piece of metal or a dull knife blade to scrape off some of the excess while the wheel in spinning.

It's a zam-only wheel, but you're right, I'm using too much. The problem is that it sometimes leaves dark smears on my stones. Thank you vegasjames!

The black smears are the excess Zam wax with metal in it the buff is depositing on your metal.  Using a rake on the wheel to clean it is the best  way to eliminate that problem.  Anytime I have a longer polishing session, I always rake the buff afterwards.  When you apply any polishing compound on a buff, all it takes is a second or two of the compound held lightly against the buff.  It's better to apply a small amount more often than end up with too much on the buff.

[kingson]

Jan 5, 2024 23:34:44 GMT -5 hummingbirdstones said:

Jan 5, 2024 8:22:48 GMT -5 kingson said:

It's a zam-only wheel, but you're right, I'm using too much. The problem is that it sometimes leaves dark smears on my stones. Thank you vegasjames!

The black smears are the excess Zam wax with metal in it the buff is depositing on your metal.  Using a rake on the wheel to clean it is the best  way to eliminate that problem.  Anytime I have a longer polishing session, I always rake the buff afterwards.  When you apply any polishing compound on a buff, all it takes is a second or two of the compound held lightly against the buff.  It's better to apply a small amount more often than end up with too much on the buff.

Thank you hummingbird. How deep into the wheel do you push the stone? Just hold it so the very fringe of the buff is hitting the stone? Thanks!