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Smaller diameter wheels move more slowly. I used to use 4" wheels to slow things down. At 3k rpm, a 6" wheel gives you 79 ft/s. At the same rpm, a 4" wheel gives you 52 ft/s.
If the wheel is all pressed down flat, I'd rake it. I can't see or handle your gear so I don't know what's what on your end. But I always make sure the wheel is 'fluffed'. That's how I kept the abrasive even on the surface.
I would not expect you would need all that much torque or pressure to get the product on the wheel, it should pretty much just go on. So I don't know if your small buffer is causing any issues. Maybe it is the source of the issue, maybe not though. By your description, the abrasive paste is coming off and flying around. The issue seems to be that it is not adhering to the wheel. I would suppose that if the machine can make the abrasive spray around the room then the abrasive should also be able to stick on the wheel. But maybe not - without having the set up here I can't judge.
I never had to use a lot of pressure/friction to get the abrasive to 'stick' though. Some pressure, yes - but not a lot. With my products and set up I would apply during 'wind down' after turning the motor off actually, so any serious pressure would stop the wheel. When buffing, I would use some pressure when taking out pits and rust so maybe a small jewelers buffer isn't up to the task....that is something to consider for sure.
I am sure that from brand to brand there are differences in these products, but they should all basically go on the same if they are fresh and all other parts of the equation are on-point. Maybe some apply easier than others. I don't know. The Caswell stuff applied easily, have not tried other brands.
I would say the best course of action is to call the vendor/manufacturer and tell them what's going on. Your abrasive might be 'out of date' or something along those lines. What you are describing sounds like what I had to deal with when the abrasive got old...or cold or both. I would have to cut back the tube a good bit until the surface felt tacky. And that surface didn't stay usable very long, I had to wrap it in plastic right away. When it got hard/dry the stuff would spray. You may be experiencing the same sort of situation. I know you just bought the stuff but it's age starts from day of manufacture and maybe it's been sitting around on a shelf too long.
Hi Gamma,
That's really good advice thank you. I've raked the wheels, and tried the start and stop method, and after maybe 50 presses it eventually started to stick and I managed to get a modest amount on the wheel. Left it overnight to fully dry. Was able to buff for about 5-10 minutes before the coating was pretty much gone.
If I just turn on the wheel and press the compound in lightly, or with some pressure, it just covers everything around the wheel in a fine powder of the compound and nothing sticks to the wheel. So definitely can't do it like Brad does in that video.
I've ordered a new machine, 500w and 8" wheels. Also ordered a new batch of Caswell compound from the US to see if that behaves any different. Although I don't think the Lea Sateen stuff I'm using is old because it's rubbery, almost spongy, so definitely not dried out.
Managed to get the razor to 320 grit.. just need to do 400 and 600 then it'll finally be time for the wax compounds, So close, I'll get that mirror finish eventually.