Why would I want to make a Satene Mop?

Satene mops are a really economical way to make an abrasive wheel with a bit more flexibility but with none of the disintegration of a scotchbrite style nylon mop. 

Popular in a number of trades including fabrication, sculpture, jewellery etc 

Depending on the mop used you can alter the flexibility to suit you. A felt wheel or stitched mop will be more rigid but not as hard as a grinding or deburring wheel. A loosefold mop could be used to make a really flexible wheel. 

INSTRUCTIONS FOR MAKING A SATENE & NO.3 ADHESIVE

No.3 – Description

Glue-based adhesive sizing for improving adhesion of Lea greaseless compound.

Uses

When objects being buffed have sharp edged, projections or recessed areas, a raking action against the face of the mop may occur and the Lea Compound head wears away prematurely.  This raking action can be reduced with the use of AdLEAsive on the mop prior to heading with Lea Satene Compound.   Many polishing operations formerly done with set-up wheels and which take a great deal of time to prepare, can be handled more speedily and economically with AdLEAsive and Lea Compound.  Heavy abrasive heads are easily applied to the mop and are easy to renew with Lea Satene Compound.

Method of Application

1. A) Peel away about 1/2” of the plastic container.  Never peel away the complete container.
2. B) Where resiliency of a Lea Satene Compound headed wheel must be retained, AdLEAsive is applied in the same manner as Lea Compound, on a loose muslin or sewn mop.  Where harder polishing wheels are to be used, it is advisable to apply AdLEAsive in heavier coatings with the ‘start and stop’ technique.  Such heavier coatings provide a good base for the subsequent more rigid heads of Lea Satene Compound.
3. C) ‘Stop and start’ method of applying a heavy coating of AdLEAsive.  Bring bar of AdLEAsive against the clean surface of the revolving mop and as pressure is applied, the power is switched off.  This allows a heavy coating of AdLEAsive to melt and flow onto the surface of the wheel.  The polishing spindle is then switched on and off to start drying, with the buff rotating at less than full speed until the sizing coat is no longer sticky to the touch,  The total drying time should be two minutes.  Repeat the procedure if necessary.
4. D) If resiliency of mopping is required and a light coating of AdLEAsive is applied as in (B), Lea Compound is applied by frictional transfer in the normal manner.
5. E) If a rigid head of Lea Compound is required over the heavy coating of AdLEAsive as applied in (C), the same ‘start and stop’ method should be used.  This procedure makes it possible to build up Lea Compound heads as thick as 3/16”, although it is necessary to make a second application of Lea Compound for the thicker coatings, making sure that the ‘start and stop’ method be followed closely.

This procedure of producing and reproducing polishing wheels with Lea Compound and AdLEAsive permits then to be left on the lathe and ready for use in less than 10 minutes total elapsed time.

Using Proper Type & Size Buff

Generally speaking, the following rules should apply:

Flexible finishing and deburring – soft stitched mops.  Satin finishing and mopping – loosefold, usually unstitched mops or string wheels.  Heavy polishing – hard stitched mops or felt wheels, which may be pre-heated with AdLEAsive to give improved adhesion of Lea Compound.

Diameters of some mops should be selected to give peripheral speed of 1500 to 6000 surface feet per minute, depending upon the results  desired.

Applying Lea Compound to the Mops:

Press bar against the rotating buff.  Switch off the motor and press harder.  This procedure may be repeated a number of times to build up a good ‘head’.  Never run the ‘head’ of Lea Compound down to the nap of the mop.  As the ‘cut’ decreases, re-head by gently pressing the bar on the wheel.  Whilst working, the mop will be warm and the new head will dry quickly.

NOTE:  For maximum head retention, “oven” drying is recommended.