How damaged is too damaged?

[Otis]

Ok, let’s keep it open. If it helps others I’m all for it.

Well, I am blown away and in awe of your achievements. I will always tackle a job myself first of all; sometimes with dreadful results and sometimes with acceptable results but nothing coming close to what you are achieving.

My guess is that it is like any talent whether sporting or otherwise; some people just have "it" and others like me, can get better with practice but never attain the professional level which is what you have clearly achieved.

Love the posts so please keep them coming.

Cheers

[Oddjob]

No offence Otis but on this I think you are wrong. It’s about confidence, practice on something that doesn’t matter, then if it goes wrong it doesn’t really matter.

An example, I was out of work many years ago and my brother was an electrician, he asked if I could go with him, just pulling wires through etc on a shop refit. After a while he said, ok don’t need you for a bit, just amuse yourself. So the next room had some plasterers in, something I’d tried and failed at. So I watched this plasterer make it look easy. We got chatting and he gave me some tips etc. I went home after buying a bag of finish plaster and peeled off my attempt, which looked like an angry sea tbh. Tried and failed, peeled it off, tried again, nope. Each time I peeled it off the next attempt was better. In the end it was pretty good. I eventually replastered the whole house, proper plaster, full depth browning and finish plaster. I got so good at it my BIL who is a builder complimented me for the smooth finish.

If in doubt try and keep trying. You don’t know what you’re capable of until you try. Ted on here is now pretty good at polishing, he wasn’t before. You want tips just ask.

[Otis]

No offence Otis but on this I think you are wrong. It’s about confidence, practice on something that doesn’t matter, then if it goes wrong it doesn’t really matter.

An example, I was out of work many years ago and my brother was an electrician, he asked if I could go with him, just pulling wires through etc on a shop refit. After a while he said, ok don’t need you for a bit, just amuse yourself. So the next room had some plasterers in, something I’d tried and failed at. So I watched this plasterer make it look easy. We got chatting and he gave me some tips etc. I went home after buying a bag of finish plaster and peeled off my attempt, which looked like an angry sea tbh. Tried and failed, peeled it off, tried again, nope. Each time I peeled it off the next attempt was better. In the end it was pretty good. I eventually replastered the whole house, proper plaster, full depth browning and finish plaster. I got so good at it my BIL who is a builder complimented me for the smooth finish.

If in doubt try and keep trying. You don’t know what you’re capable of until you try. Ted on here is now pretty good at polishing, he wasn’t before. You want tips just ask.

I have to disagree with you my friend, what you have achieved is exceptional. I can only liken this analogy to my efforts at golf. I am reasonable accomplished but might spend half a day practiciing chipping/pitching balls from 10 yards off a green to a flag 20 foot on the green. After a couple of hours I have cracked it and get ten out of 15 balls within 3 ft. The next day, in a competition when presented with the same shot I will either hit the ground 2 inches before the ball or skin it 40 yards through the green. My point is that when it really matters, one doesn't get a second chance.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

The bit we don't mention is how many hours it takes to get a really good finish.

I did a great polishing job on a side casing a while back, it just had one small bit I wasn't happy with.
I should have left it as it was, instead I buffed it for a final finish only to make it worse.

It took me several hours to get near where it was, now I'm happy with less than perfection, that will do.
Ken is on another level, respect.👍

[Oddjob]

Go back to the beginning on that small area Ted, go back to the little discs. Using the polishing mop can highlight the faults not disguise them. Sometimes backwards is forwards.

[Yetanotherbike]

I think the best quote here was said by Henry Ford.  "Whether you think you can, or you think you can't—you're right"

[Oddjob]

Link to the little wheels as Ted calls them.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0GTPNQ353/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A2F7ACHNC66TH&psc=1

I'd advise buying 2 lots, saves on postage and you'll be using them a lot. Best used with a Dremel and a Flexi Shaft. Around 1.5 on the speed dial, not fast, not slow.