Sonex Polishing Supplies

[Sonex 772]

Hey All

I didn't think I would ever do it, but I am getting ready to start work on my third Sonex and this one is going to be Polished..

What kind of Polishers are guys using and what kind of buffing pads and size are guys using and where is the best place to buy all of this..

thanks
Mike

[Bryan Cotton]

Mike,

I have an old Sears 10" buffer with a 7" wheel and also one of these:
http://m.harborfreight.com/7-in-10-amp- ... 60626.html

I have been using the cheap pads:
http://m.harborfreight.com/7-in-fleece- ... 61961.html

Generally I do 3 passes of Nuvite F9 and a pass of grade C before riveting. I have sacrificed an 8' folding table to the polishing gods.

[SonexN76ET]

I am going to politely disagree with the people using the cheap, tie on or elastic, thin polishing bonets. The shine you get with the thin bonets may look good in the garage, but the shine they create is superficial and will not look good in the sunlight and will quickly tarnish when exposed to the elements. Ask me how I know? Well, I tried the cheap bonets first and learned the hard way.

Go with the thick wool polishing pads with the hook and loop backing. You can get them at NAPA. They are about $11 each.

http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/Catal ... 0361168574

You will also need a backing plate that is compatible with your polisher for about $29.

Here is an example:

http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/Catal ... 0361168828

These are similar to the ones Kerry uses in the Sonex polishing video and they worked well for me.

The NAPA store near me keeps both the backing plates and the pads in stock. To ensure that you get a backing plate that is compatible with your polisher and polishing pads that fit your backing plate, I would take your polisher in to the NAPA store and show them what you need. I had a Sears polisher and I could not find any backing plates to fit it other that the rubber ones you have to tie the bonets to. So, I ended up getting another polisher.

You are going to spend A LOT OF TIME POLISHING, may as well have the proper tools for the job!

Jake

[Sonex1517]

Thanks Jake! Your post has perfect timing.

[wlarson861]

I'm with Jake on this one. My Buffer was originally from Nuvite with hook and loop backer and wool that is twisted like a carpet. Harbor Freight has supplied the replacement pads. I used 3 to 5 passes of the F9 before moving to the C. For the s grade I use a small random orbit car polisher (Wen) and micro fiber towels.

[DCASonex]

Nuvite's polishing pads get my recommendation, but their polisher was of same quality as can be had from HB at much less.

Key to polishing when just starting out is to polish everything in the flat on a good table where you can lean into it a bit. Nuvite describes their polishing as "healing" the surface, that is moving bits around to fill tiny voids, and that takes a bit of work. Using a bit of pressure speeds up the process and improves quality. Try that on a finished wing section and you will have ribs showing. Discussed this with a Nuvite person at Oshkosh couple of years back and confirmed that they say not to use pressure so that folks will not damage completed airplanes or assemblies. For smaller parts, clamp them to table so that they do not fly off. Final polish with the S grade can then be done on completed assembly. I find a quick re-polish with S grade is necessary each spring. Also have found that using their bug remover / repellent on all surfaces makes for longer lasting shine.

David A.

[nwawingman]

One thing I have found helpful is to keep my polished plane covered with some Harbor Freight moving pads (blankets) to keep the dust off between flights. Then I use only water and very soft detail terry cloth towel to clean bugs off. Make sure you dry with a second clean cloth. This seems to work for me to keep it looking good all year until it time to do the annual polishing.