For good buffing results, follow the few simple but important rules contained in this booklet. First, let's get acquainted with some of the buffing terms commonly used:

A SECTION OR SINGLE BUFF, consists of layers of material sewed together in various ways. It is usually about 1/4 inch thick at the face. A BUFFING WHEEL consists of one or more single sections. You can buy ready made multiple buffs, which are single sections sewed together, or you can assemble any thickness buffing wheel you wish by putting together single or multiple buffs on your spindle. Buffing wheels should always be mounted on your spindle between flanges firmly gripping the sides.

FLANGES are the metal discs between which buffing wheels are mounted. Each DICO wheel is supplied with a pair of special toothed flanges which bite into the buffing wheel to prevent it from slipping.

THE FACE, OR edge, of a buffing wheel is the working surfaces.

PREFACED, means that the trued wheel face has a soft nap which prepares it for easy applications of compositions.

A COMPOSITION, OR COMPOUND, is the material applied to the face of a buffing wheel to enable you to obtain the finish you desire. It consists of abrasives, which do the work, held in suspension by wax or grease, which acts as a binder to hold the abrasive to the buff. There are many kinds of compositions, ranging from coarse cutting emery to the finest jewelers' rouge', and each has a particular use. Buffing wheels will not product results without compositions, DICO compositions are specially compounded for easy application and to give dependable results.

SPINDLE SPEED is the speed of your spindle expressed in R.P.M., or revolutions per minute.

SURFACE SPEED, or S.F.P.M., is the speed at which the face of your buffing wheel travels, as distinguished from the spindle speed of your buffing or polishing head. S.F.P.M. is an abbreviation meaning Surface Feet Per Minute. It is important that you know the S.F.P.M. of your wheel, as it should be varied to obtain the best results for coarse buffing cutting down, or coloring. For best results, your wheel should maintain a S.F.P.M. at 3,600-7,500. The higher the speed the better and quicker the results. Formula for calculating S.F.P.M. is S.F.P.M.=1/4 diameter of buff multiplied by the spindle speed in R.P.M. Thus, an 8" wheel @ 3,600 R.P.M. =2 x 3600 R.P.M. or 7200 S.F.P.M.

COARSE BUFFING means buffing with coarse compositions, such as emery, to remove rust, grinding marks, and rough surface imperfections.

CUTTING DOWN means buffing with sharp cutting compositions, such as Tripoli and Stainless, to remove additional surface imperfections and give a moderate luster.

COLORING means the final buffing, which is done with various softer or finer compositions to bring out the natural color or luster of the material. Most polishing projects will require more than one buffing operation in each of the above classes. You may find it advisable in some instances to color, or even to cut down, with two or more compositions or with the same composition on different type buffing wheels in order to obtain the result you desire.