Finishing compounds.

[Qvar]

I was wondering if any of you folks could explain the following.

Is rouge or a polishing compund mildly abrasive?

I have a 12c27 bladed balisong of which one side had been brushing one of the channels as the knife opened and closed. Browsing through the forums I decided to remove the marks using various methods I came across.
I was doing this by hand and at first I thought I had made a total disaster of the blade but decided I may as well go the whole hog and see if things improved.
Finally fishing with 600 grit and then ultra fine scotch brite along the length of the blade I got a finish that I'm reasonably pleased with but feel it could be better. (When held at various angles I can see very fine brushes along the blade, whereas held at a differnt angle looks great)

This is where my query on the finishing compunds come in. Would finishing compounds along with a felt buffing wheel on a dremmel produce a better finish. I'm not sure however if finishing compounds just polish or have a slight abrasion that would remove the smallest of sanding strokes.

I'd really appreciate any advice on this and thought this might be the place to ask. Thanks in advance.

 

[TANGUS]

have you tried simichrome paste? available at most automobile paint suppliers or at TKS.

 

[george tichbourne]

There are hundreds of varities of polishing compounds. A general rule of thumb is is that the brown or red compounds are effective on non ferrous metals only, green compounds work best on ferrous metals, white compounds do little cutting but brighten up existing mirror finishes effectively. There are some exceptions to the rule of course but I speak from 16 years in the metal polishing trade.

 

[Qvar]

Thank you for your help, I'll check out some of the items you mentioned.

 

[richard rosvall]

Brian- it can be tough to get a nice, even finish with the narrow buffing wheels on a Dremel. It's easier with a wider wheel on a bench grinder, but those things can be very dangerous! Have you thought about hand-sanding up to a 1500 or 2000 grit?