Resurface ceramic lap?

Mike Cirelli

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Is there a service out there that would resurface ceramic laps. I have one that got scared. I also have an iron lap that would be nice to have refinished also. The ceramic laps are so expensive it sure would be nice to get them resurfaced instead of buying another. Just curious.
 

monk

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mike: somewhere i recall a video how you can re surface a ceramic lap. the video may have been by sam alfano. i checked youtube. there's info there on doing this. good luck
 
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Jim gordon

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Mike
I finish clean my ceramic with 'simichrom' polish, (wear protective glove, as you skin will start to disolve) I realize the polish won't restore finish. I use regular paper towel (Brauny) or other.
I use 'tin oxide paste' to fine polish ceramic dental crowns, however that is very small scale tasking. A large disc would require a large muslin wheel with a large powerful lathe.(an industrial setting I think)
Sincerely, jim
 

Jim gordon

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There is a 'tin oxide' paste called 'Micro-Mesh' .
It's used to polish air craft windows to a high luster.
Can be obtained from Aircraft supply. (I used to fly in Civil Air patrol,had a 172)
Micro-mesh will polish glass on a small scale.
Jim
 

Sam

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I've tried swimming pool acid and a number of things. Lapping with something that will cut ceramic is probably the best option. This is what I despise about ceramic laps. They get impregnated with metal, glaze over, and lose much of their usefulness considering what they cost. I rarely use mine any more. For polishing heels and faces a cast iron lap with dry diamond powder will produce incredible results for a third of what a ceramic lap costs.
 

Jim gordon

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I have had reasonable luck soaking the disk with 'Kaboom' Tub and Tile spray cleaner on my vinyl counter mat,then turn it over ,spray upside, let set 'OVERNIGHT'
Next morning, spray again to wet it,wipe down with paper towel,then polish out with 'Simichrome' polish, both sides with paper towel.
'Simichrome' polish is the only thing I have used that really appears to remove
The remainder of iron oxide, that last 20%.
During tool lap, i supplement the disk frequently with isopropyl alcohol sqweeze disspenser to conserve diamond spray and keep the graver 'skating smoothly' on the surface of the disc.
The Kaboom is the 'oxi clean' purple spray bottle, can't say if it is available in your area, we get ours from 'Home Depot'.
I can honestly give Simichrome polish 5 stars for it's effectiveness.
 

Dorotystew

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Apr 17, 2022
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Is there a service out there that would resurface ceramic laps. I have one that got scared. I also have an iron lap that would be nice to have refinished also. The ceramic laps are so expensive it sure would be nice to get them resurfaced instead of buying another. Just curious.
i never heard of something like that before
 

dixdance

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Jun 7, 2011
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There are videos of machinists grinding sharpening stones on a surface grinder with a diamond wheel, to make them perfectly flat. I'd imagine a diamond wheel would cut a ceramic lap as well, if you can find someone with the equipment willing to try it. A cast iron lap is easy to surface grind.
 

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