The Armour Archive

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I`m looking to polish my helmet. Its got a dull gray finish on it now, but there is a little surface pitting. I would like to get a decent but not mirror shine to it. I don`t have or have real access to any power type tools to do the job, the most I have is a couple of random orbit sanders. Is there any compound or ultra fine sandpaper or anything I could try?
Thanks
John

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"and the springfieldians heroicly slaughtered there enemys while they prayed for mercy!"

I'll be the first to admit that I'm no pro but sanding is bad. Made my half gaunts look like dooky. A friend let me use his bench grinder with a buffing wheel attached and some polishing rouge. He showed me how to use the various grades of polishing rouge to put a really nice finish on them.

Unfortunately I can't remember exactly what I did. I just wanted to catch ya before you sanded your helm. Some of the folks here have lots o experience with that and hopefully they'll follow up.

[This message has been edited by Raibeart (edited 08-19-2001).]

My squire's name is Baldor. He is 3/4 hp and can hum at 3500 rpm. With the right grit and wheel, he can turn pitted steel into chrome.
A good buffer can sand as well as polish, but you are looking at $300-400.00 plus $100.00 for a half doz. different wheels and grits of polish. You can do the same with a drill or a Sears bench grinder, but you will spend a lot more time doing it.

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Virtus vincit invidiam
"Virtue overcometh envy"

Contact cement a piece of close cell foam to the orbit sander then a piece of 400 grit to that. That way you can put a pretty good shine on a curved surface. It shined my shoulders up more than I wanted.

I think this was Adam from White Mountain Armoury's advice from a while ago.

Aelric