What's The Difference Between Buffing and Polishing
What's The Difference Between Buffing and Polishing
What's The Difference Between Buffing and Polishing
Buffing and polishing are two common finishing processes used in the manufacturing
industry. They both involve smoothing the surface of a workpiece to improve its
aesthetics as well as its physical properties. Unbeknownst to many people, however,
buffing and polishing aren’t the same. Each finishing process has its own unique
characteristics. So, what’s the difference between buffing and polishing exactly?
What Is Buffing?
Buffing is defined as a finishing process that involves the use of a loose abrasive on a
wheel. To polish a workpiece, a manufacturing company may use a wheel that’s
covered with an abrasive disc. The loose abrasive on the disc essentially removes
superficial material and imperfections, thereby creating a smoother surface.
What is Polishing
Polishing, on the other hand, is a finishing process that involves the use of an abrasive
that’s secured — typically with glue or other adhesives — to the wheel. As a result,
polishing is considered a more aggressive finishing process when compared to buffing.
It’s able to remove more superficial material from the surface of a workpiece, allowing
for a brighter and more polished finish.
Buffing and Polishing Abrasives
Both buffing and polishing require the use of an abrasive. There are low-grit, medium-
grit and high-grit abrasives. Low-grit abrasives may consist of just 60 to 80, whereas
medium-grit abrasives may range from 100 to 200. The grit of an abrasive reflects its
smoothness. Low-grit abrasives are particularly rough because they contain fewer grit
particles than medium- and high-grit abrasives. Therefore, buffing and polishing
processes often begin with the use of a low-grit abrasive, after which higher-grit
abrasives are used.
It’s important for manufacturing companies to use the right type of abrasive when
performing buffing and polishing. If the wrong abrasive is used — an abrasive with
either too little or too much grit — the workpiece could sustain damage.