Polishing is a process that can either be done by hand or with a polishing machine. The aim of polishing is to create a shiny and smooth surface of an object by rubbing it or using some sort of chemical action. Once polished a surface will have a significant specular reflection. With objects made from materials such as glass, metal or stone, the polishing process will also reduce the diffuse reflection to a minimum.
In order to fully understand what happens to a surface when it is polished you need to take a look at the surface whilst it is unpolished. If you magnify this surface a couple of thousand times it will look like valleys and mountains. After polishing these valleys and mountains will just look like small hills or be flat. This is what happens when you polish with abrasives starting with coarse abrasives and ending with finer abrasives.
There are many applications for polishing such as with metal work, wood work and stone work And because each application has different requirements the polishing machine for these tasks will differ and have different designs to adapt to the job in hand. But despite the polishing machine being different for each application, the fundamental basics of polishing remain the same.
Polishing is not difficult to master and with the correct accessories such as abrasives and waxes anyone can do it to a very high standard by hand. But with a polishing machine the job can be done even better in a shorter amount of time. Polishing machines have been designed and manufactured by their relative companies to be user friendly and very easy to use. So if you have never used a polishing machine before, do not be daunted by the prospect of using one. Each machine, no matter which type and for which purpose, will come with an operators manual which you should read before using your particular machine. As with any powered machine it is always a very good idea for familiarize yourself completely with all the working parts, functions and maintenance issues of your particular polishing machine. Along with this familiarization and proper care and maintenance of your machine, will ensure you a safe and long working relationship with your polishing machine.
