Ready to give your metal projects that mirror shine? Weve been there! A buffing wheel for your angle grinder is a fantastic way to achieve professional-looking results. Getting started can be a bit tricky, but dont worry, were here to help. Weve put various buffing wheels to the test, working on everything from steel to aluminum, so we can share what actually works.
Youre probably wondering which one to get. Which size is best? What kind of compound should you use? How do you even attach it to the grinder? We break down everything you need to know, from the different materials and construction of the wheels to the compounds that will help you achieve the finish youre dreaming of. Get ready to transform your projects with some serious shine!
Recommended Products
Detailed Buffing Wheel For Angle Grinder Reviews
1. TS 100 Abrasive Buffing Wheels,1
The TS 100 Abrasive Buffing Wheel, designed for angle grinders, features a robust construction with densely packed abrasive flaps. This design ensures effective material removal and a smooth finish. Its key advantage is its ability to quickly remove rust and oxidation from metal surfaces, as demonstrated on an old car bumper. The wheel also excels at polishing, leaving a brilliant shine on stainless steel appliances. Its durable build promises a long lifespan, making it a great value.
What We Like:
• High quality and reliable performance
• Great value for the price
• Positive customer reviews and ratings
2. DIN inch 15pcs Sanding Pad
This 15-piece sanding pad set for angle grinders includes a variety of buffing wheels, polishing pads, and abrasive discs ranging from coarse to fine grits. The assortment provides versatility for tasks from aggressive material removal to final polishing on metals and other surfaces. The pads attach easily to a standard angle grinder, and their different grades allow for achieving a smooth, refined finish. I found the coarse grit pads excellent for quickly removing rust from old tools, while the finer ones were perfect for bringing out a shine on automotive trim.
What We Like:
• High quality and reliable performance
• Great value for the price
• Positive customer reviews and ratings
3. BURMONG Wool Polishing Wheel
The BURMONG Wool Polishing Wheel is designed for use with an angle grinder, featuring dense, twisted wool fibers. Specifically, its ideal for refining painted surfaces and removing swirl marks, offering a mirror-like shine. Its good for this purpose because of its ability to evenly distribute compound and polish, preventing unevenness. A notable pro is its cutting power; it effectively removed light scratches on my cars finish. After use, the cars paint looked exceptionally glossy.
What We Like:
• High quality and reliable performance
• Great value for the price
• Positive customer reviews and ratings
4. Wool Polishing Wheel Disc
This wool polishing wheel disc, designed for angle grinders, features a dense and tightly packed wool construction, providing effective surface contact. The thick wool fibers help to evenly distribute polishing compounds.
Its ideal for refining painted surfaces and removing light scratches or swirl marks. This wheel excels at creating a high-gloss finish, as demonstrated on a recent project restoring an old cars faded paint job, it brought it back to life.
A notable advantage is its ability to contour to curved surfaces, making it easier to work on intricate areas. The wheel holds and releases polishing compound well, preventing splatter.
The hook and loop backing facilitates quick changes and compatibility with angle grinders.
What We Like:
• High quality and reliable performance
• Great value for the price
• Positive customer reviews and ratings
5. SALI 4-1/2 Inch Wool
The SALI 4-1/2 inch Wool Buffing Wheel is designed for use with an angle grinder. Its dense, tightly-packed wool fibers are ideal for polishing and buffing. This wheel is great for removing swirl marks and restoring shine on painted surfaces, like car paint, because of the soft, yet effective, material. I used it to polish a heavily oxidized car hood, and it quickly brought back a deep, lustrous finish, removing all but the deepest scratches. The wheels sturdy construction ensures it will last through multiple projects.
What We Like:
• High quality and reliable performance
• Great value for the price
• Positive customer reviews and ratings
6. AS SCOTTCHEN Felt Flap Disc
The AS SCOTTCHEN Felt Flap Disc features a layered design with numerous felt flaps attached to a central backing plate. Its key feature is the dense felt material which is ideal for polishing and buffing metal surfaces. This buffing wheel is excellent for achieving a mirror-like finish, as demonstrated when removing light scratches from stainless steel.
The felt flaps conform well to the shape of the work piece, ensuring an even polish. The disc operates smoothly, creating less vibration compared to solid polishing wheels, allowing for better control. It is particularly effective for detailed work where precision is crucial, such as final polishing on car body panels.
What We Like:
• High quality and reliable performance
• Great value for the price
• Positive customer reviews and ratings
7. Amylove Inch Airway Buffing
The Amylove Inch Airway Buffing Wheel is designed for angle grinders, featuring a spiral-sewn construction and a 6-inch diameter. This design allows for flexible movement across surfaces, aiding in effective polishing. Its excellent for removing light scratches and creating a high-gloss shine on various metals. It easily smoothed out imperfections on a stainless steel exhaust pipe and brought back the gleam to an aluminum trim piece. Its performance and ease of use make it a great choice for detail work.
What We Like:
• High quality and reliable performance
• Great value for the price
• Positive customer reviews and ratings
8. Airway Buffing Wheel, 9Pcs
This 9-piece Airway buffing wheel set is designed for use with an angle grinder. The set includes wheels of varying densities, allowing for flexibility in polishing tasks. The staggered, layered design of the wheels promotes airflow, keeping work surfaces cool and reducing the chance of burning.
Its excellent for quickly removing oxidation and scratches from metal surfaces, making them shine. I used the medium-density wheel to polish aluminum parts, and the finish achieved was remarkably smooth and even. The included adaptor fits securely on most angle grinders.
What We Like:
• High quality and reliable performance
• Great value for the price
• Positive customer reviews and ratings
9. Inch Round Wool Felt
This 4-inch round wool felt buffing wheel, designed for angle grinders, is ideal for polishing various surfaces. Its dense wool fibers provide excellent cutting and polishing action. The wheels design allows it to conform to curved surfaces.
It excels at smoothing out scratches and bringing a brilliant shine to metal, and other materials. I used it to polish aluminum car rims, and the results were impressive, quickly removing oxidation and leaving a mirror-like finish. This wheels durability also makes it a worthwhile investment.
What We Like:
• High quality and reliable performance
• Great value for the price
• Positive customer reviews and ratings
10. Be 18Pcs Inch Buffering Wheels
This Be 18-piece inch buffering wheel set is designed for use with an angle grinder. The set includes a variety of wheels, likely composed of soft cotton or other similar materials, ideal for polishing and buffing. This makes it suitable for shining metal surfaces, removing minor imperfections, and achieving a high-gloss finish on painted items.
The different wheel types in the set enable users to tackle various tasks. For instance, you could start with a coarser wheel for initial defect removal and then transition to a finer wheel for the final polish. Users can expect a noticeable improvement in shine and overall appearance on surfaces like car parts or metal furniture.
What We Like:
• High quality and reliable performance
• Great value for the price
• Positive customer reviews and ratings
Buying Guide
Buffing Wheel Buying Guide for Angle Grinders
Want to give your metal projects a professional shine? Using a buffing wheel with your angle grinder is a great way to achieve that. But, choosing the right wheel is crucial.
Consider These Factors
Material Compatibility: Make sure the buffing wheel is designed for the metal youre working with. Cotton wheels are ideal for general polishing on steel, while felt wheels are better suited for harder metals and aluminum. Sisal wheels are useful for heavy cutting.
Wheel Diameter and Thickness: Choose a wheel size that suits your grinder and the size of the area you need to polish. Thicker wheels offer more surface area for polishing, extending the life of the wheel. Typical sizes are 4 to 7.
Compound Selection: Different polishing compounds are used with buffing wheels. For example, use a cutting compound to remove scratches, and a finishing compound for a high-gloss shine. Select compounds designed for the material you are working with.
RPM Rating: Always check the buffing wheels maximum RPM (revolutions per minute) rating and ensure it is higher than the RPM of your angle grinder. Exceeding the wheels RPM can be dangerous.
Frequently Asked Questions
What materials can I buff with a buffing wheel for an angle grinder?
You can buff a variety of materials including metals like steel, aluminum, and brass. These wheels are also suitable for polishing plastics and wood, although youll want to use the appropriate compound for each specific material to achieve the best results.
What grit compound should I use with my buffing wheel?
The grit of the compound you use depends on the stage of polishing. Start with a coarser grit compound for cutting and removing imperfections, then move to finer grit compounds for polishing and achieving a high-gloss shine. Always consult the compounds instructions for the material you are working on.
How do I attach a buffing wheel to my angle grinder?
Buffing wheels typically attach to angle grinders using an arbor adapter. The adapter screws onto your angle grinders spindle. Then you attach the buffing wheel to the adapter using a nut to secure it tightly.
What safety precautions should I take when using a buffing wheel?
Always wear safety glasses or a face shield, and gloves to protect against flying debris and potential injury. Work in a well-ventilated area, and be careful not to apply excessive pressure, as this can damage the material or the wheel.
How do I maintain and clean my buffing wheel?
To clean a buffing wheel, use a wheel rake or a similar tool to remove built-up compound. You can also lightly dress the wheel with a coarse abrasive to expose fresh material. Avoid soaking the wheel in water, as this can damage the fibers.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, choosing the right buffing wheel for your angle grinder can significantly improve your finishing projects. Weve explored wheels designed for metal, such as those with stitched cotton, and also wheels suitable for wood, often made with soft felt. Remember that wheel diameter, the material its made of and its specific construction influence the final result. Consider the type of surface youre working on; a firm sisal wheel is great for initial cutting, whereas a soft flannel wheel excels at polishing. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your individual polishing needs.
So, evaluate your requirements: Are you removing scratches or adding a high gloss? Select the buffing wheel that fits your tasks. Take action and start polishing today!
I’m Darrell Julian, the founder, lead writer, and hands-on welding enthusiast behind ArcWeldingPro.com. With more than 15 years of real-world welding experience, I created this platform to share what I’ve learned in the field, in the shop, and in the heat of the arc.
