The Fine Points of Surface Finishing

When you take the time to methodically and carefully finish the surface of a given project, not only does it make the final result that much more aesthetically pleasing, it also ensures your products are clean and performing as intended, helping to extend longevity and efficiency of your tools.

A product that has gone through rigorous finishing doesnt only look appealing for customers, its also protected from elements that cause corrosion, wear and rust. Better yet, different finishing methods offer performance improvements like resistance to water damage or sun damage, helping it perform in the wild, where you need it most.

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When you have the right tools and equipment to add those finishing touches when painting a project, its easy to find the path to a perfect finish. Lets take a look at some of the methods and gear available to remove defects, and create a high-polish project that not only has improved safety and performance, its something your colleagues will be jealous of.

Defect Removal Systems

A perfect finish on a vessel or structure first needs a smooth surface free of defects and debris. To achieve that, first youll need abrasives to smooth out any rough spots and scratches. But not just any abrasives – youll need tools that are designed from the ground-up to deliver superior performance and superior surface finishing.

3M™ Trizact™ abrasives are a great option to remove defects from your workpiece, offering advanced technologies to reduce compounding and buffing time combined with exceptional performance. Trizact abrasives are constructed using precisely-shaped three-dimensional pyramids uniformly distributed throughout the surface of the disc. With this pyramid design on the surface of the abrasive, fresh, sharp minerals are consistently exposed to the workpiece as the pyramids wear. The end result is a faster, more consistent final product throughout the life of the discs.

Finishing Systems

A great option for scratch refinement and paint finishing are the 3M Perfect-It™ EX system, offering optimal performance on every use. Its unique formulas help the Perfect-It products quickly remove scratches and other fine defects, and because theyre designed to be used while damp, it can create incredibly smooth surfaces with mirror finishes.

For example, by using a 3M Trizact Hookit™ Foam 3000 or 5000 grade disks, you can begin the polishing process. And because your Hookit foam disks are compatible with 3M Perfect-it EZX AC rubbing compound, it offers a perfect solution to quickly remove any sand scratches left after removing remaining defects. By using a foam compounding pad instead of a wool option, you lower your processing time and reduce the swirls found in the final finish.

To permanently eliminate fine swirl marks (which is particularly useful on vehicles or structures using dark colors), ultrafine finishing products are key elements to getting the job done correctly. A polish like 3M Perfect-It EX Ultrafine Machine polish combined with the quick connect and double sided 3M Perfect-It Ultrafine polishing pads, give the final surface a sleek, professional finish.

Choosing the right finishing system provides operators with the tools of the trade to get flawless results. And with the 3M Perfect-It EX finishing system, you get a high performance solution thats easy to clean up and consistently provides the perfect finish. And the new formulas increase wet time, allowing technicians to use less material, save time, and save money.

For additional information about abrasives and finishing solutions and what they can do for you, please visit our Abrasives page today.

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