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I just recently bought some 4", 3", and 2 1/2" pads to try on my corded drill and bench grinder. I am still trying to figure out what works best as the drill is a tad too slow but the bench grinder is a tad fast. So far I have been experimenting with the grinder with light touches.

Well today I got a little curious when buffing one of my stems and decided to see what would happen if I gave it a little more pressure than normal. I was also experimenting with different buffing compounds so that could of been what did it. The stem looks great except using a flashlight, or other forms of bright light, on the stem reveals a greenish hue and lines from where it looks like the buffing wheel was hitting it.

I was wondering, is there a way to fix this? Should I soak it in bleach and then buff again carefully? This is a cheaper pipe so no real harm I suppose. However, I was hoping to get this pipe restored how I am going to do it with the new buffing setup and then bomb it away and see what the guy thinks of my restoration job.

As most of you will remember, I was asking about a good cheaper buffing setup a while back. Things didn't work out the way I had planned and I decided to buy some pads while I saved up money to have a real setup. All of that to say, this isn't my ideal buffing setup but any tips on buffing on a bench grinder or drill setup would be appreciated.

Thanks.

I do it by the book: tripoli, followed by white diamond, buff with a clean buff, then apply carnauba.

I don't have a grinder. I have always clamped my drill to the table. The pipes seem to turn out fine. I have discovered that the trick is making sure to sand very very thoroughly otherwise buffing doesn't take out all the scratches.

You've got the best approach Ocelot55. Light touch is best. My buffer is a fixed 1750 rpm. Light touch following your progression works every time.