S E L E C T I O N    G U I D E

BUFF AND COMPOUND SELECTION CHART
Ferrous metals: Steel, Stainless Steel, Iron, etc.
Non-Ferrous metals: Copper, Brass, Aluminum, Pewter, etc.
Precious metals: Gold, Silver, etc.
Plastics: Plexiglass, Corian, etc.

Buffing
Procedure		 Ferrous
Metals		 Non-Ferrous
Metals		 Precious
Metals		 Use Buff
Step 1 Remove Surface Imperfections E5-Emery TC6-Tripoli 1/4 Spiral Sewn 1/2 Face
1/4 Spiral Sewn 1/4 Face
3/8 Spiral Sewn 1/2 Face
3/8 Spiral Sewn 1/4 Face
Step 2 Restore a Natural Luster Finish SCR-Stainless WR1-White WR1-White Cushion Sewn 1/2 Face
Cushion Sewn 1/4 Face
Step 3 Achieve a High Luster Finish CR1-Chrome JR1-Jewelers JR1-Jewelers Canton Flannel 1/2 Face
Loose Sewn 1/2 Face
Loose Sewn 1/4 Face

Click HERE for our GRAPHIC Selection Chart

Recommendations
Buffing is a lot like using sandpaper; for best results follow steps 1-3 unless otherwise noted above. Do not use buffing wheels larger than 6” diameter on electric drills. Do not use buffing wheels larger than 4” diameter on Flexshafts. Do not exceed a speed of 7200 surface feet per minute. Always wear safety glasses and a dust mask.


Determining Maximum Face Width of Buffing Wheels
Dico buffing wheels can be ganged together to create a thicker working face. The horsepower rating of your motor will dictate the maximum working face width. The surface feet per minute of your wheel must be maintained at a uniform speed to produce satisfactory results. If you use too large a face width with a light motor, the wheel will slow down when your work is applied. The following chart is a rough guide which may be helpful in selecting the thickness of your wheel. The actual workable face width may vary depending on your equipment.

SIZE OF MOTOR MAXIMUM THICKNESS OF WHEEL FACE

6" Dia.

8" Dia.

10" Dia.

1/6 or 1/8 H.P.

1/2"

na

na

1/4 H.P.

1"

1/2"

na

1/3 H.P.

2"

1 1/2"

1/2"

1/2 H.P.

2 1/2"

2"

2"

Use the largest diameter and thickest face possible.

TYPE OF COMPOSITION TO USE

Buffing Compounds and Rouges are a solid form not a liquid or paste. All Dico compositions are tube packed for your convenience - a method of packing which has many advantages. It is clean to handle and prevents waste. It is easier to apply, permanently identifies the contents to help you to avoid damaging valuable work by using the wrong composition.

DICO compositions are specially blended for use on small wheels and are more easily applied than most commercial grades. They have a very high content of abrasive which speeds their action. It is the action of the composition carried on the face of your buffing wheel which gives the finish to the material you are buffing. Therefore, it is important for you to select a composition which has been designed to give a specific result for a specific application. You will find the chart below helpful in your selection of Dico tube packed compositions.

 

SUGGESTED WHEELS, COMPOSITIONS, AND SPEEDS FOR BUFFING

Type Of Work

Steel - Iron Hard Metal

Soft Metal, Brass, Copper, Aluminum, etc.

Solid & Plated Gold & Silver

Brass or Copperplate

Nickle & Chromeplate

Plastics

Purpose

Cut

Color

Cut

Color

Cut

Color

Cut

Color

Cut

Color

Cut

Color

DICO Wheel Number

25,26,
27, 20,40
or sisal

18
36,41

25,26,
27,20,40

8
36,41

Do No Cut

60

Do No Cut

18,36,41,
60

25,26,
27,20,40

36,41,
60

25,26,27,
36,40,41

18,36,41,
60

DICO Composition

ES or
SCR

SCR or
WR1

TC6

SCR or
WR1

CR1 or
JR1

TC6 or
SCR

SCR

SCR or
WR1

PBC or
TC6

WR1 or
PBC

For a very high polished finish on all metals use JR1 Buffing Composition with Buffing Wheel #60
as the 3rd and Final step in the buffing process. Dico compositions are specialy compounded for use on home workshop equipment.

USE CARE IN THE SELECTION OF YOUR COMPOSITIONS

EMERY E5
Contains Emery Grit

Coarse buffing, removing scratches, rust, corrosion and burrs from iron, steel and hard metals.

Very fast cutting action approaching that of flexible grinding. Step 1 for irons and steels.
Black in color.

TRIPOLI TC6
Contains Natural Abrasives

General cutting down on all base materials.

Also used for preliminary coloring operations. Excellent on brass plating and aluminum, pewter, etc. Mild cutting action - good coloring action. Step 1 for copper, brass, and aluminum.
Brown in color.

STAINLESS SCR
Contains Artificial Abrasives

For cutting down and coloring stainless and other steels, chromium and nickel plate.

Has a fast cutting and good coloring action. Step 2 for irons and steels.
Gray in color.

ROUGE CR1
Contains Soft Natural Abrasives

For coloring gold, silver and other precious metals.

Best and safest when used with a flannel buff such as DICO No. 60, or a DICO felt wheel. Excellent for final coloring of any material.
Red in color.

JEWELERS ROUGE JR1
Contains Finest Abrasives

A premium composition for the finest finish on gold, silver, etc.

Skillful buffing with this will bring out all the beauty of the natural color in any metal.
Use on flannel buff. Step 3 for any metal.
Red in color.

PLASTIC ROUGE PBC

An excellent composition for edge finishing of acrylic sheeting.

Has mild cutting and good coloring action on plastics.
Sky blue in color.

WHITE ROUGE WR1

Produces a brilliant high gloss finish. Removes scratches.

Clean and greaseless, will not discolor. Use on metal and plastic. Step 2 for copper, brass, aluminum and irons and steels.
Snow white in color.

Applications & Uses

APPLYING THE COMPOSITION TO YOUR BUFFING WHEEL

On a new wheel: Be sure the wheel is revolving toward you and has attained full speed. Then pass tube of composition lightly across wheel face in front of, and a little below spindle, until face is slightly coated. Now hold a clean piece of old metal lightly against wheel face for a few seconds to spread coating. Do this several times until face is uniformly coated. After face has been adequately charged with composition, you are ready to buff. It will be necessary to apply more composition from time to time as you buff, and the best way to do this is with a wiping motion, being careful not to overload the wheel.

Never use a wheel for coloring which has previously been used for coarse buffing or cutting down. Particles of grit remaining in the face may scratch your final finish. You will save time and avoid costly mistakes by using a separate wheel for each type of composition.

IT IS EASIER TO BUFF THE RIGHT WAY

Be sure your wheel is revolving toward you and at a full speed. Coat your wheel with the right composition and let it run for a few seconds so the composition will settle on the buff. (Never put the composition on the article to be buffed.) Now grasp your work firmly and apply it lightly against face of wheel. Make sure to keep it below the center of the wheel, otherwise the buff might catch in your work and pull it out of your hands. Keep your work constantly in motion, always removing it from the wheel with a slanting downward stroke. This will blend buffing marks and help avoid spotty or streaked results. Wipe additional composition across wheel face as needed, but do not overload. Overloaded wheels will produce many thick, black streak marks. If this occurs, clean the buff with a buttrack or file and reapply the composition as needed. Do not use too much pressure against the wheel let the composition and the wheel do the work. Work when changing from cutting to coloring composition to prevent coarse grits from becoming embedded in coloring wheel, thus scratching your final finish. When finished, wipe the buffed surface with a soft cloth dipped in powdered whiting (talcum powder) to remove all traces of composition. A little practice will enable you to obtain the results you want. Never allow wheel to strike upper edge of work as work may be torn from your hands.

MOUNT YOUR BUFFING WHEEL CAREFULLY

It is important that your wheel is snuggly fitted to the spindle. For this reason each DICO buffing wheel is furnished with a pair of toothed flanges to fit your spindle. Your dealer will see to it that you are supplied with the correct size flanges. Insert a flange in each side of your wheel. If several buffs are ganged together on an arbor, use a pair of flanges for each section. Keep the wheel centered in the flanges as you slide it onto your spindle. Draw up the spindle nut as tightly as possible with a wrench.

A FEW SUGGESTIONS FOR SAFE AND EFFICIENT BUFFING

Always wear safety glasses and a dust mask when using DICO Buffing Products.

Hold your work firmly at all times. Cotton work gloves will protect your hands and keep them clean.

Use minimum pressure against wheel. Let wheel and composition do the work.

Always hold work below center of wheel.

Never take your eyes OFF work for an instant.

Use caution when buffing an article with sharp projections or openwork, such as jewelry. It might catch in wheel and be torn out of your hands.

If wheel slows down, you are pressing too hard or your motor is too light for your wheel.

Inspect plated work frequently, as plating is easily buffed off.

Use great care buffing plastics. Never permit them to overheat; it can cause scoring, discoloration, or melting.

Do not wear loose clothing. It may catch in machinery and cause an accident.

Never allow your body or clothing to touch a revolving buff.

Work in a well-ventilated place to avoid dust accumulation.

"Always wear saftey glasses & follow all saftey precautions when using power tools"

  

 

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