Set the polisher's RPM

Too high RPM will create excessive heat that will result in white resin pads smearing on the stone. In other cases, it will even burn the stone itself. As a rule, for 50-100-200 grit pads use 2000-2500 RPM and starting with grit 400 use 3000-3500 RPM. If you want to compensate for the loss of RPM, you can always add an extra pass. Never use above 5000 RPM.

Amount of water

Low grit pads, 50-100-200, can be used for dry polishing or with small amount of water. If you don’t feel the lower grit pad biting the material, chances are you are using too much water and probably too high RPM. Starting with grit 400 and higher, it is recommended to use more water. Using a suitable amount of water makes the pads work faster and increases their life.

Use the whole pad

Users who use minimum amount of water will notice the pads flexing and cupping outward around the middle. This way, only the edges of the pad will touch the stone leaving dull spots in the middle. Applying more pressure can fix this issue, but due to the flexible nature of the pad and the thickness of hook and loop used to secure it on the backer, these blurry spots might remain. To overcome this issue, use the pad’s edges as you alternate from the top ½ to the bottom ½ while you slide across the stone edge. You should feel the pad’s contact that will allow you to release some of the pressure.

Engineered Stone Polishing with Confidence: 8 Tips

1. Grind wet. Wet grinding eliminates the damage to stone-polishing pads.
2. Judge dry. If the surface is wet, scratches can pass unnoticed.
3. Use the whole wheel. Stop using only the middle of the pad.
4. Skip no grit. It’s always faster to do it right the first time than to try to take shortcuts and risk damaging the stone you’re working on.
5. Polish slow. Keep the speed of the pad low for the lower grits #50 #100 #200 (~2000-2500 RPM) and go to higher speeds for higher grits #400 #800 #1500 #3000 (~3000-3500 RPM). Never use the pads at higher speeds than 5000 RPM.
6. Keep it clean. A good way to ensure every single part of edge is polished is to wipe the edge surface with gently squeezed wet cleaning towel and then polish dry.
7. Believe what you see. If your eyes tell you that something is not quite right about the surface, stop! Figure out what the problem is before continuing.
8. Be patient. Polish a little and look a lot. This is the mantra for successful results in the polishing process.

Follow the rules and you will be rewarded

Skip no grit starting from the lower one to the higher one, use the right amount of water, set the correct RPM for the lower grits and the higher grits, be patient as polishing is not a task to be done in a hurry. In the end your project will shine.