How do I get a nice shine on my helmet?

[muttman]

Heading says it ....
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!"

[Raibeart]

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).]

[JJ Shred]

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"

[Aelric]

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