Metal Finishing Compounds Metal finishing compounds need to be used with a mop, felt etc. A loosefold mop is a popular choice for this final finishing process. The softest mops is a Reflex mop which is used in the jewellery industry for precious metals – sometimes this soft mop is not necessary on harder metals. But it’s down to the polishers preference. Yellow Bronco mops are becoming more popular but for most metals, you can’t go wrong with a general loosefold mop WDR which is a soft calico or a felt. Compounds in Order of Rating Each compound is rated out of 10 for cut (10 being most stock removal ) and gloss (10 being the brightest mirror finish.) FF9 – white – most popular 1 Cut and 10 brightness All metals: Aluminium, brass, copper, bronze, Steel and stainless steel, titanium, super alloys all ferrous and non-ferrous. Exceptional high colour and depth, extra fine finishing. Menzerna – M5 super finish – white 1 Cut and 10 brightness The finest compound excellent on softer metals such as precious metals such as gold and silver – very popular in the jewellery making industry and a very good alternative to jewellers rouge as it is much cleaner to use and gives a better finish in less time. Menzerna – P175 Super Finish – yellow 2 Cut and 9 brightness Similar to M5 Menzerna but slightly more cutting and less colour. Can be used on all metals. The Menzerna compound range has been engineered as a cleaner compound and finishes are achieved in faster times, they are rapley becoming very popular even though they are more expensive. Both M5 and P175 are available in a small 150x35mm bar and a larger 225x45mm bar. 309BX – white This is a very good finishing bar, popular due to it price but very similar finish can be achieved its is slightly less greasy than FF9 and leaves a very high bright mirror finish with good depth of colour. Can be used on all metals – ferrous and non ferrous – alloys to steels etc. Sunblue – blue 5 Cut and 8 brightness Mainly used on ferrous metals steel, stainless steel, titanium, chrome etc. Leaves a very fine scratch finish – a blue grade finish. Jupiter – white A dry compound with a fine finish for all metals. Gives very fast colour and depth. Check out the blog and video guide… http://moleroda.com/new/2018/polishing-copper/ For Jewellers We have a very comprehensive blog to help you choose compound for polishing jewellery. A Jeweller’s Guide to Choosing & Using Polishing Compound FF9 and 309BX are very economical to use, they are large bars. They are very popular for finishing silver in particular. Menzerna compounds are clean to use and produce an excellent finish on precious metals. P175 is particularly good for yellow metals i.e gold! Whereas M5 is better suited to white gold, silver, palladium etc. Use this compound with a very soft mop. With a pendant motor a cotton yarn mop is ideal, on a bench polisher a reflex mop is a good option.
