Abstract: Portable polishers and buffs are provided for surface preparation or for surface repair of substrates such as sheet aluminum. The polisher and buffs are particularly well suited for restoring the polished finish of aluminum aircraft skin that has been dulled by normal use and to repair blemishes on polished aluminum that occur during handling and fabrication. Elongated polishing rolls or buffs counter-rotate such that one polishing buff rotates in a clockwise direction about its elongated axis and another polishing buff rotates in a counterclockwise direction about its elongated axis. The buffs, which include a plurality of fabric disks that are axially compacted and secured onto a disposable sleeve, provide a buff having substantially enhanced polishing attributes. A universal mount assembly is also provided to facilitate use of the portable polisher in combination with a power-assisted lift assembly.

Abstract: A portable polisher is provided for surface preparation or for surface repair of substrates such as sheet aluminum. The polisher is particularly well suited for restoring the polished finish of aluminum aircraft skin that has been dulled by normal use and to repair blemishes on polished aluminum that occur during handling and fabrication. This apparatus includes elongated polishing rolls that are driven by a motor in conjunction with a suitable counter-rotating drive arrangement such that one polishing roll rotates in a clockwise direction about its elongated axis and another polishing roll rotates in a counterclockwise direction about its elongated axis. The apparatus may also include features for counter-oscillating the polishing rolls about their respective longitudinal axes.