Buffing
Buffing is the final stage of mechanical polishing, using soft cloth wheels and fine compounds to produce a bright, high-lustre or mirror finish. It removes very fine lines left by polishing and is used on decorative parts, often before or after plating.
What it is
Cotton or sisal buffs loaded with fine compounds spin against the part, smoothing the micro-scratches left by earlier polishing steps. Cut buffing refines the surface; colour buffing brings up the final shine.
Buffing removes very little metal, so it follows polishing rather than replacing it on rough surfaces.
Typical applications
- Decorative hardware, handles and fittings
- Brass and copper products
- Stainless steel consumer items
- Parts before bright plating
- Jewellery-style and display components
Suitable materials
- Brass and copper
- Stainless steel
- Aluminium
- Plated surfaces (nickel, chrome)
Points to consider
- Surfaces must be polished first; buffing cannot remove deep scratches.
- Compound residue must be cleaned off before plating.
- Soft metals can have edges rolled by aggressive buffing.
- Provide a sample or reference for the desired shine.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between polishing and buffing?
Polishing uses abrasives to remove scratches and marks. Buffing uses soft wheels and fine compounds to bring the smoothed surface to a high shine.
Can buffing remove scratches?
Only very fine ones. Deeper scratches and machining marks need polishing with coarser abrasives first, then buffing brings up the shine.
Is buffing done before plating?
Often yes, for bright decorative finishes, and sometimes after plating to bring up extra lustre.