Getting Learnt with Spectrum

Frequently Asked Questions

We answer questions like: When do I rake? What buff/compound should I use? Do I need to sand?

Although the majority of the questions we get revolve around buffs, compounds, and related techniques, we find that most of our customers benefit from some adjustments to their sanding technique. If your...

Why Buff "Pack" Matters

Aside from diameter and number of plys, airway buffing wheels are constructed with a third (important) specification: Pack (also known as Class, Density, #). What are the advantages of more pack? Effectively, more pack means more...

The Importance of Base Material

Overall, lower quality material will carry compound less effectively, wear faster, produce poorer quality finishes, and take longer to do so. As a result, cheaply priced buffing wheels frequently cost more...

Mirror Finishing Stainless Steel

As many have found out - often the hard way - stainless steel feels like a completely different beast than aluminum. Primarily, it is significantly harder and it dissipates heat less effectively than aluminum,...

Why Does Spectrum Prefer 12" x 5" Buffing Wheels?

Both 10" x 3" and 12" x 5" buffing wheels have their advantages, but for efficiency's sake, the Spectrum crew prefer 12" diameter buffs to help them save time. Several...

Buffing Wheel Treatments

Traditionally, buffing wheels were made firmer by adding rows of stitching to the material. Now, we can utilize mill and dip treatments to enhance the polishing action and lifespan of...

Airway vs. Sewn Buffing Wheels

At a glance, traditional buffing wheels are simply plys of cloth stacked and sewn together, whereas airway buffing wheels are typically built around a metal clinch ring. There is, however, more...

Getting the Most out of Your Consumables

Spectrum discusses how high quality products' performance can be limited by pairing them with lower quality counterparts (e.g., high quality compounds with lower quality buffing wheels) and how this can...