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A Step-By-Step Guide To
Finishing With Walter

Walter Surface Technologies

This finishing guide is designed to help you get everything you need to get the finishing results you want and get the most out of your final product. The goal of the guide is to make it easy for you to:

  1. Improve your process to achieve the desired linear finish
  2. Identify the material(s) needed for the job
  3. Find your start and end points in the process
  4. Follow all necessary steps

LET′S START WITH:

 THE BASICS 

What is stainless steel?

  1. Low-carbon steel whose chromium content is key to its durability and versatility
  2. An invisible layer of chromium oxide adheres to the steel surface to protect the metal against corrosion
  3. In case of chemical or mechanical damage, the layer of chromium oxide is self-healing with the oxygen

TYPES OF STAINLESS STEEL

304

Basic chromium-nickel austenitic stainless steel, suitable for the widest range of applications. Excellent resistance to corrosion from exposure to weather.

316

More corrosion resistance through addition of molybdenum. Desirable where severe conditions exist.

305
-
410

Used for bolts, nuts, screw and other fasteners.

430

Chromium ferritic stainless steel. Principally employed for interior use. Lower corrosion resistance than the 300 series.

TYPES OF FINISHES

Unpolished ″Mill″ Finishes

#1

Mill finish with a dull aspect achieved by hot rolling during production.

#2D

Mill finish with a dull aspect achieved by cold rolling during production.

#2B

Mill finish with a bright reflective aspect. Result from the #2D process plus final light cold roll pass.

Mechanically Brushed or Polished Finishes

#3

Intermediate polished finish used for additional finishing operations after fabrication.

#4

General purpose bright linear finish. Produced by a fine abrasive after initial grinding with coarser abrasives.

#8

Most reflective finish commonly available. Achieved by polishing with finer abrasives and buffing with compounds.

LET′S CONTINUE WITH:

 METAL WELDED SHEET EXAMPLE 

STEP ONE

MIG (GMAW) Weld Blending

Remove the MIG (GMAW) weld with the Enduro-Flex 2-in-1 Turbo using the Big-Buff III

Before

Before

In Progress

In Progress

After

After

 FIND YOUR PRODUCT 

Shop our Enduro-Flex 2-in-1 Turbo, Big-Buff III and Surfox Pre-Weld products.

Technical Tip

As a good practice, it is recommended to clean your workpiece of any contaminant with Surfox Pre-Weld (AE996) before starting operations. Keep disc angle between 5°-10° to use the full flap and avoid gouging.

STEP TWO

Deep Scratches or TIG (GTAW) Weld Blending

Blend deep scratches or remove the TIG (GTAW) weld with the Enduro-Flex 2 in 1 using the Big-Buff III

Before

Before + Tig

In Progress

In Progress

After

After

 FIND YOUR PRODUCT 

Shop our Enduro-Flex 2-in-1 and Big-Buff III products.

Technical Tip

Keep disc angle between 5°-10° to use the full flap and avoid gouging. Ensure the rotation direction of the disc is applied in the same direction of the final linear finish so the deep scratches can blend in the final pattern. For deep scratches, work at a 90° angle to the scratch, as this helps reveal any deep scratches.

STEP THREE

Surface Finishing or Applying a #4 Brushed Finish

Blend the entire sheet with the Blendex Drum Fine with the Line-Mate III in order to apply a #4 brushed finish.

Before

Before

In Progress

In Progress

After

After

 FIND YOUR PRODUCT 

Shop our Two-In-One Finishing Drum, Line-Mate III and Surfox Pre-Weld products.

Technical Tip

Keep consistent pressure and steady movement to obtain a straight and consistent linear finish. Line-Mate requires a quick pulling motion toward operator. After initial pass, return to starting point (pushing away from body without contacting surface). Keeping product and workpiece cool is important if working with thin gauge material to avoid warping. You can use Surfox Pre-Weld (AE996) to cool down the surface. If you wish to achieve a #4 brushed finish, use the two-in-one drum (TAV045).

TOP 10 BEST FINISHING PRACTICES GUIDE

WALTER Finishing Products

TD963

Finishing Tools

VV387

Flap Discs

TD975

Sanding Drums

AE996

Pre-Weld Degreasers

EXPLORE WALTER FINISHING PRODUCTS