Tamiya Polishing Compound questions

[Matt T.]

OK, so I have my Tamiya TS-13 clear gassing out, and it will need some polishing. I want to try the FINE and FINISH compounds by Tamiya.

Am I correct in thinking that FINE is coarser than FINISH?

Once I polish with the compounds, can I apply decals to the surface? (I'm thinking that, unlike wax, compounds are more of a mechanical polish, like a paste version of polishing cloths.)

Thanks in advance for any knowledge you can share on this!

Matt

[935k3]

Yes the finish is finer, however it does not seem to improve the shine. I would jus get the fine. It is about the best polish to use on their paints. Decals will stick ok but if you ever have decals that will not stick try some Future under them, using a q-tip to apply it.

[Matt T.]

Thanks for the info, Dale!

Would you say the polish achieved is on par with grits 3,000 - 12,000 or not so much?

No matter, I'm building a '65 stock car so it doesn't have to be super shiny. Just wondering.

[cruz]

Are you trying to avoid the polishing cloths? If so, you will need to use both the Tamiya products but my advice to you is, if you don't mind using the polishing cloths, start with 3200 and go up to 4000. After finishing with the 4000, all you would need to use is the Finish. The polishing cloths eliminate the orange peel and though the polishing compounds do the same, they do not do it as effectively as the cloths. After finishing with the compounds, you can add the decals as long as you don't put a wax coat on it.

[Matt T.]

Are you trying to avoid the polishing cloths? If so, you will need to use both the Tamiya products but my advice to you is, if you don't mind using the polishing cloths, start with 3200 and go up to 4000. After finishing with the 4000, all you would need to use is the Finish. The polishing cloths eliminate the orange peel and though the polishing compounds do the same, they do not do it as effectively as the cloths. After finishing with the compounds, you can add the decals as long as you don't put a wax coat on it.

Right on, Cruz. I will do as you suggest. Thanks bud!

[935k3]

Where can you even buy the polish anymore? None of the hobby shops in my area have had it for a few years. Another very good polish is Simichrome that is sold at some motorcycle shops.

Edited September 19, 2014 by 935k3

[Matt T.]

IIRC it's at Hobby Lobby currently.

[935k3]

IIRC it's at Hobby Lobby currently.

I have seen the putty there but no polish. The packaging looks very similar.

[Matt T.]

Ahhh. Then I don't know. I bought it a year or more ago. Bought both the Fine & Finish.

[Snake45]

Here's what I use. I get it at Walmart. It's cheap, safe, and one tub will polish out more than a dozen cars, maybe more than two dozen, I've never counted. For a finer "cut," just dampen or wet your polishing rag (the stuff is water soluble).

Some clears and paints (such as Testor One Coat Wet Look Clear) are tough and this stuff takes a while to polish it. I've got some rust red polish from and auto parts store for that.

I've been polishing both paint and plastic, including clear plastic, with this stuff for about 30 years now. Oh, the name is now Weiman Silver Cream, but the package looks exactly the same.