Jewelers Rouge and Polishing Compounds
Buffing/Polishing Compounds and Jewelers Rouge can be used
to smooth and/or shine metals, plastic, wood, and other materials. The names
buffing compound and polishing compound are used interchangeably and refer to
fine abrasive fillers combined with greases which are formed into solid bars
or liquid.
Jewelers
rouge (also known as red rouge) is a very fine compound originally developed by the jewelry
trade for buffing precious metals. Jewelers
rouge will bring out the maximum luster and a mirror like finish in jewelry and other items made of soft metals.
Other polishing compounds can be used to finish harder metals and materials to a mirror like finish.
Choosing the Right Compound
Polishing Compounds are similar to sandpaper in that they are used from coarse
to fine. A work piece that is severely scratched may need to be sanded down
with sandpaper before polishing. Once the scratch depth is minimal on the work
piece it is advised to start with the coarsest compound that is applicable to
the material being polished. From there one should than move down to the next
compound and so on until the desired finish is achieved.
Many times a mirror finish may be achieved by using just one compound.
For example, a scratch free piece of aluminum, which has some haze from oxidation,
could be polished to a high luster with only the White Rouge Polishing Compound.
Applying the Compound
Apply polishing compound or
jewelers
rouge to a buffing wheel by spinning a buffing wheel on either a bench grinder
or electric drill and lightly press the compound or jewelers rouge onto the
wheel.The heat and friction of the spinning buffing wheel will be enough to transfer the
compound to the buff. There is NO need to soften or moisten the compound by heating or adding
water to the compounds. Only a small amount of compound is needed on the buffing wheel for it
to work properly.
Material |
Compounds (Coarse to Fine)
|
| |
Black Emery |
Brown Tripoli |
White Rouge |
Green Stainless
|
Jewelers Rouge
|
Blue All Purpose |
| Acrylics |
|
|
|
|
|
x |
| Aluminum |
x |
x |
x |
x |
|
x |
| Brass |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
| Copper |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
| Gold |
|
x |
x |
|
x |
x |
| Iron |
x |
|
|
x |
|
x |
| Nickel |
x |
|
|
x |
|
x |
| Pewter |
x |
x |
|
|
x |
x |
| Platinum |
|
|
x |
x |
|
x |
| Sterling or Silver Plate |
|
x |
x |
|
x |
x |
| Steel |
x |
|
|
x |
|
x |
| Nickel or Chrome Plate |
|
|
|
|
x |
x |
| Brass or Copper Plate |
|
x |
x |
|
x |
x |
| Stainless Steel |
x |
x |
x |
x |
|
x |
| Thermosetting Plastic (Baklite, Formica) |
|
x |
x |
|
x |
x |
| Hard Rubber |
|
x |
|
|
|
x |
| Horn |
|
x |
|
|
|
x |
| Wood |
|
x |
|
|
|
x |
Polishing
compounds are available in 1 oz., 4 oz. and 1 lb. bars.
White rouge and Jewelers
rouge are available in 1 oz., 4 oz., and 1 lb. bars.
Other Buffing and Polishing Pages
Basic Metal Polishing Directions
Comprehensive Polishing Directions
Metal Polishing Terms
Metal Polishing Terms
Buffing Machine Chart