Polishing canvas micarta.

trentu

trentu

Joined
Mar 2, 2006
Messages
1,120
I got some green canvas micarta from Pop's but can't seem to get it to polish nice. Hand sanded to 600 grit and them hit with the buffer. Still get a dirty buff and dull sheen. What processes and grits do you guys use?
 
Yea, I've had that issue before with certain batches. I found that either I would have to wet sand to 800 and hand buff with a clean towel loaded lightly with high white compound or buff with only high white on a brand new buff and stay off the metal. Any black on the buff appears and stop. Clean the buff, re-load and buff LIGHTLY!
 
You guys must be using 3600 RPM buffers. They are way too fast. Get a 1750.
Spray the Micarta with WD 40 and wipe it thoroughly. Then, Ivory soap with a tooth brush. Then hand buff with Simichrome polish. THEN use paste wax or neutral shoue polish. Canvas Micarta will not polish as nicely as linen or paper.
 
the Loveless Shop and I both use 3600 rpm buffers. They work just fine.

Grind to a 800P that is well worn. Or at least 500 American grit. (P-is European grit size),Use low belt speed if you have a variable grinder. (If not, the water and soap really help.) Do this while spraying the belt with a spray bottle with water and a couple of drops of dish soap in it. It will make a terrible goo, but it washes off in your dip tank. Always put a couple of drops of Palmolive in the dip tank at the beginning of work. This makes the water wet the work piece rather than beading off, and at the same time, washes off the gunk, and keeps any of the metal particles from sticking to your work.

Go straight from the belts to a high speed Very hard wheel loaded with black. Be careful hare The black cuts fast. Now load a hard wheel with white compound, or green. Same procedure. For a really nice finish, follow with a very loose wheel loaded with green or white, and then a few light pases on a very loose buff with the expensive Pure Green. This is too dirty for most handle materials, but works very well for Green or Black Micarta.

Caution. A low rpm buffer when used with a very soft buff is like a loaded gun. A high rpm buffer will make the buff seem harder, and much less likely to wrap around the handle and fling it to parts unknown.

M. Lovett
-Maker-
The Loveless Connection Knives

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r294/mlovett_photo/Lovett_Grp2-w.jpg?t=1233560408
Lovett_Grp2-w.jpg
 
Thanks for all the advice guys. Michael, your pics of the nicely buffed green micarta has lifted my spirits. I would have never thought of the soap trick. Thank you.
 
We each have our own opinions on buffer speed. A 3600 is much easier to burn materials with, and requires a very light touch on anything except metal. I have both 1750 and 3600 in my shop.
 
Green Canvas is phenolic based. It will polish exactly the same as the others. No wax or any other out side polish is necessary. (Once wax wears off, your back to dull again.It's nothing more than duping you customer into thinking you did a good job, when you didn't). It will polish beautifully with the technique I outlined. If you have to use simi chrome and wax on Micarta, you haven't yet learned proper buffing techniques. Burning isn't an issue when the equipment is properly used. You will find that 6" to 8" wheels work the best on Micarta. With 6" being the most controllable. Do not use super hard, or felt wheels on Micarta.
 
Last edited:
Mr. Lovett-
I am quite sure I know the traits of the Micartas and how to polish them. Canvas Micarta uses a heavier base material that does not soak the phenolic resin up as well as the thinner papers and linens. That said-it will still polish nicely. My posts were made not knowing the OP's skill level and methods. Your suggestion that I may be duping customers is ludicrous. Would you wax your new car to make it look better?
 
Last edited:
If you use a 6" diameter buff on a 3600-rpm buffer, then the surface feet/min is roughly the same as using a 10" wheel on an 1800-rpm buffer.
 
Michael, Thanks!! It worked well. Thank you. I see also what you mean by more control at a faster speed. Lot more "grab" when you go slow with the buffer.
 
Michael Lovett said:
the Loveless Shop and I both use 3600 rpm buffers. They work just fine. . . .

M. Lovett
-Maker-
The Loveless Connection Knives
Click to expand...

Hey, you must have copied my knife design.:D:D

Here's a knife that I'm just about finished with. It's a loveless style drop point hunter with the traditional green canvas micarta scales. I have to remove a few scratches and sharpen the edge before it's finished.

img_2311_small.jpg


Mike L.
 
Last edited:
Guys,

I use a 2X72 Talc belt from Tru Grit...been so long since I ordered it...I just tell them to sned what had the last time....

Anyhow...I load it with Brownells 555 Grey....and there she goes....

I aint got to mess with the Buuf at all that way...

and he's right...dang fluffy wheels...ain't like fluffy bunnies...

POW..YER dead!

Shane
 
Last edited:
Michael Lovett ' what was said above , why dont you post a video of how a pro buff's micarta.
that should take care of it
vern
 
logem said:
Hey, you must have copied my knife design.:D:D

Here's a knife that I'm just about finished with. It's a loveless style drop point hunter with the traditional green canvas micarta scales. I have to remove a few scratches and sharpen the edge before it's finished.

img_2311_small.jpg


Mike L.
Click to expand...
I think sso!

Mike Lovett
Maker
The Loveless Connection Knives
254-865-9956
 
i use water with just a drop or two of soap, a shallowbowl and micromesh sanding pads. start with the 1500 and finish with the 12000. it leaves a nicely polished finished. i finish off with a light coating of beeswax. it keeps hand oils from penetrating the surface and provides a great, non slip grip even when wet. I've been doing this for years but.....it is POLISHED first before applying the beeswax.
hope this helps......
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top