discussion Warning re Polishing Compounds.

[HAWKERHUNTER]

I have never used polishing compounds before and have always been in search of the perfect glass like gloss finish. So I decided to give the Tamiya Polishing Compounds a try on my Black Jack Typhoon. For some reason I thought that I would use a buffing pad on my Dremel to apply the polishing compound. Big mistake. Within seconds the pad had destroyed the paint and even warped the plastic. Fortunately I had the sense to have tried it on a small area, the aileron, which will be easily repaired.

So I then just used the polishing compound on a cloth and applied it by hand and with very little effort achieved a smooth glass like finish.


So if you are going to use a polishing compound I would suggest that to avoid a disaster then don't use a power tool. You will be pleasantly surprised at just how quickly hand polishing will deliver the results. I hope this helps.

 

[Mr Bowcat]

Have to admit I do sometimes use rotary polishing pads with Tamiya compound, but not had that issue. It may well depend on the amount of pressure applied, and the gloss coat. I use lacquer paint and gloss exclusively which may dry harder than acrylics?

 

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Have to admit I do sometimes use rotary polishing pads with Tamiya compound, but not had that issue. It may well depend on the amount of pressure applied, and the gloss coat. I use lacquer paint and gloss exclusively which may dry harder than acrylics?

I was using Revell Enamels paint and varnish. I had applied multiple coats of paint and varnish and left them to cure for well over a week. I just dont know what went wrong.

 

[Snowman]

I have never used polishing compounds before and have always been in search of the perfect glass like gloss finish. So I decided to give the Tamiya Polishing Compounds a try on my Black Jack Typhoon. For some reason I thought that I would use a buffing pad on my Dremel to apply the polishing compound. Big mistake. Within seconds the pad had destroyed the paint and even warped the plastic. Fortunately I had the sense to have tried it on a small area, the aileron, which will be easily repaired.
View attachment 1278315
So I then just used the polishing compound on a cloth and with very little effort achieved a smooth glass like finish.
View attachment 1278316
View attachment 1278317
So if you are going to use a polishing compound I would suggest that to avoid a disaster then don't use a power tool. You will be pleasantly surprised at just how quickly hand polishing will deliver the results. I hope this helps.

Depending on your "dremel", it may be too much RPM and the heat generated by rotating polishing wheel.

 

[pjgtech]

I've seen several times that for clear plastic, eg: plane canopies, windows, etc, just using toothpaste works great.
Not sure about on a painted surface though....?