Decode 3M Roloc Bristle Disc Color Codes for Proper Use

Understanding 3M Roloc Bristle Disc Color Codes

3M Roloc bristle discs are a popular abrasive disc used by professionals and DIYers for surface conditioning and cleaning. The small bristles on the discs allow for cleaning and light finishing without causing damage to the underlying surface. One of the keys to properly using Roloc discs is understanding the color coding system 3M utilizes to indicate grit size.

The Importance of Grit Size

The size of abrasive grit on a bristle disc plays a major role in determining how aggressively it cleans and finishes. Larger grits remove more material and leave behind deeper scratch patterns. Progressively smaller grit sizes remove less material and leave progressively finer finishes.

It's crucial to select the appropriate grit to accomplish the desired level of cleaning or surface refinement without going too far. Using a disc that's overly aggressive can damage surfaces through excess material removal and deep scratches. Starting with a less aggressive grit size and working up through finer ones enables excellent control over the end result.

3M Roloc Bristle Disc Color Coding System

Over the years as new grit sizes were introduced, 3M has updated the color coding on their Roloc bristle discs to standardize the system across all of their abrasive products. The following table summarizes the common color designations along with the equivalent abrasive grit:

Keep this color chart handy whenever selecting Roloc discs for a job. Matching color to task helps prevent accidentally choosing overly abrasive or fine discs.

Most Common Roloc Bristle Disc Colors and Uses

While the full range of discs is useful for specific combinations of metals and tasks, three colors cover most cleaning and finishing needs:

Purple Roloc Discs - Light Surface Prep

The purple discs have a medium 80 grit size. This mildly abrasive disc is extremely useful for cleaning and removing light rust or tarnish from metal surfaces without digging into the base material. Purple bristle discs offer a great starting point when refinishing metal or cleaning parts.

Gray Roloc Discs - Blending and Finishing

Gray represents a fine 180 grit paper ideal for creating smooth, blended finishes across larger surface areas with uniform scratches. The mild abrasive cuts gently and leaves behind an evenly patterned surface ready for final polishing and finishing steps.

Maroon Roloc Discs - Polishing

Extremely fine 320+ grit abrasive in maroon discs is perfect for final polishing stages after initial prep with more aggressive discs. The maroon color also works well by itself on surfaces with existing gloss or polish that need restoration or maintenance.

Proper Roloc Bristle Disc Technique

While using the right abrasive grit size is important, technique also plays a major role in getting the desired outcome from Roloc discs. Keep these technique tips in mind:

• Let the disc do the work. Very light pressure allows the abrasive to cut effectively. Pushing too hard slows the disc down, builds up heat, and causes uneven scratch patterns.
• Use sweeping motions across large surface areas instead of concentrating on one spot. This ensures even abrasion.
• Work left to right until scratches appear uniform before moving to finer grit abrasive.
• Thoroughly clean discs between grit changes to prevent cross-contamination from coarser abrasive.

Putting It All Together

Start by assessing the condition of the metal surface and determining how much material needs removal. Then select the appropriately aggressive Roloc bristle discs based on color to start. Move consecutively through finer grits, cleaning thoroughly between each, until achieving the desired finish.

With some practice working through the color coded grits using proper disc technique, it’s possible to restore almost any metal surface. The mild abrasion of bristle discs prevents damage while offering extreme flexibility. Refer to the color code chart regularly when first learning the system until it becomes second nature.

The right technique paired with properly understanding 3M’s color codes for Roloc Bristle Discs grit sizes removes the frustration and allows completing professional quality refinishing work.

FAQs

What are Roloc bristle discs used for?

Roloc bristle discs are used for surface conditioning on metals and hard materials. Their abrasive bristles allow for cleaning, deburring, blending, and light finishing without digging into the material like more aggressive abrasives.

What grit sizes do the Roloc color codes cover?

The color coded Roloc bristle discs from 3M cover a wide range of abrasive grits from extra coarse 50-grit up to ultra fine 600-grit and higher for very delicate polishing.

How can you prevent surface damage using Roloc discs?

Let the abrasive do the work using light pressure, work across the full surface to ensure even abrasion, start with less aggressive purple or gray grits first, then move consecutively to finer maroon grits to finish.

What metals can the Roloc discs be used on?

The flexible bristles and range of abrasive grits allow Roloc discs to be used safely on almost all types of bare metal including steel, aluminum, titanium, magnesium, brass, copper etc.