Choosing the Right Polishing Product

Choosing the right buffing wheel is just as important as choosing the right polishing compound. Different types of buffing wheels are suitable for different metals and different stages of the buffing process. Here is an overview of the main buffing wheel types and their uses:
Muslin Wheels (Traditional Buffing Wheels)
Muslin buffing wheels are made from soft muslin cotton and are used at all stages of the buffing process. There are two main types:

Spiral Stitched Muslin Wheels: These wheels are denser and used for heavier buffing actions. Ideal for the early to mid-stages of buffing with compounds such as Black Emery and Brown Clover.
Loose Muslin Wheels: These wheels are gentler and are best for late-stage cut polishing, color buffing, and buffing metals to a mirror finish. Polishing with compounds such as White Rouge will achieve a high gloss finish.
Sisal Wheels
Sisal buffing wheels are made from the coarse, hard fibers of the agave plant (sisal) and are used for aggressive cutting and buffing of harder metals. They are ideal for the initial stages of buffing. Used with Black Emery, these wheels are great for cutting and preparing surfaces for further buffing.
Airway Polishing Wheels
Airway Polishing Wheels are made from pleated cloth to increase airflow and reduce heat build-up. Each color of cloth has a different hardness/softness and is suitable for different steps in the polishing process.

Blue Sanded Airway Polish: Sanded for a firmer finish. Use with compounds such as Black Emery, Brown Tripoli or Grey Strip for cutting in the first step.
Yellow Sanded Airway Polishing Cloth: Also sanded, but 15% less hard than the Blue polishing cloth. Use it with compounds such as Brown Tripoli or Green Rouge in the second stage.
White Untreated Airway Polishing Wheel: Soft and plush polishing wheel made from 86/80 white cotton cloth that is untreated. These polishing wheels have a very low hardness and can be used for aggressive cutting or lightly tinting with compounds such as White Rouge and Green Rouge.
White Dome Flannel Airway Polishing Wheel: Super soft wheel best saved for the final polishing stage to achieve a perfect gloss or mirror finish.
Felt Polishing Discs
Felt Polishing Discs are made from 100% premium Australian wool felt. These high-quality felt polishing wheels are gentle on metal surfaces and achieve a high gloss finish. Empire Abrasives offers a variety of felt polishing discs in a variety of sizes and thicknesses for angle grinders, drills, and other power tools

XL Flat Felt Polishing Discs: Provide a durable, thick surface for a mirror finish.
Felt Polishing Flap Discs: Increase airflow and reduce heat build-up, perfect for the final step of polishing.
Quick Change Polishing Plus Discs: 2" Quick Change Polishing Discs and 3" Quick Change Polishing Discs for drills, die grinders, and air grinders are effective in tight, hard-to-reach areas.