Lea Greaseless Compounds for Satin Finishing and Flexible Polishing
Lea Greaseless Compounds are designed to coat mops and buffs with a hard abrasive layer for flexible polishing, satin finishing and light grinding. Applied to a calico mop, such as a RODA mop, the compound creates a smooth, abrasive surface that produces decorative finishes from coarse brushed effects to fine satin and butler finishes.
They work on ferrous and non-ferrous metals, plastics and wood, including irregular shapes where belt sanding isn’t practical, and offer an economical, clean alternative to coated abrasives and abrasive wheels. When the coating wears, simply re-head the mop.
Lea Greaseless is made by APH Industries, formerly Lea Manufacturing.
Choose Your Grade
Work through two or three stages from coarse to fine, polishing at a different angle each time.
| Grade | Description | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| A80 | Coarse | Castings and forgings |
| A120 | Medium coarse | Castings and forgings |
| A150 | Medium | Stampings and drawn parts |
| A180 | Medium | Brass and steels |
| A240 | Fine | Classic satin finish |
| A320 | Extra fine | Smooth satin finish |
Specialist Grades on Request
These grades are not held in stock but can be supplied on request.
| Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| A320T | Special abrasive designed for slow speed on titanium |
| S120 | Silicon carbide for a quick cut |
| S150 | Medium silicon carbide grade |
| AS200 | Blended satin finish with extra cut |
How to Apply Lea Greaseless Compound
- Prepare the mop: rake a new mop with a Mop Dresser to open up the fibres, so the compound has something to grip.
- Optional: apply Lea No.3 Glue to the mop first for stronger adhesion and longer head life.
- Apply with the start and stop method: switch the motor on, then off before it reaches full speed, and press the bar across the mop face as it coasts down. At full speed the compound is thrown off before it can bond.
- Build thin coats and let them dry: repeat in short bursts until the face is evenly coated, letting each coat dry hard. Allow at least a few minutes before use; a longer drying time gives a longer-lasting head.
- Polish at a lower speed than grease bar polishing: approx. 5,000 sf/m for flexible polishing, 1,500–2,000 sf/m for brushed effects.
- For extra cut, lightly crack the surface with a hammer to expose fresh abrasive edges.
- Re-head before the head wears down to the mop fibres. If new compound won’t stick, dress the mop with a Mop Dresser first.
Always re-cover any exposed bar, and keep bars away from heat in storage.
For full instructions, read How to Use Lea Greaseless (Satene) Compound
Choose a Mop
| Mop | Best For |
|---|---|
| Coarse Sisal | Coarse cutting and initial stages (A80–A120) |
| Medium Calico G, Bronco, White Stitched or Unmounted Felt Wheels | General-purpose satin finishing and polishing |
| Soft Calico WDR, Swansdown WHR, Reflex or Chamois | Final fine satin or butler finish (A240–A320) |
| Loosefold mops | Finishing irregular or delicate shapes |
These mops suit bench polishers, flexible shaft machines, pendant motors and drills.
For small workpieces, use Mounted Mini Mops or Mounted Felt Polishing Tools with micromotors, pencil grinders and rotary tools.
Applications
- Decorative satin or butler finishes on metalwork
- Deburring and smoothing castings and stampings
- Flexible grinding and polishing of irregular shapes
- Pre-finishing before painting, coating or lacquering
- Refinishing metal furniture, handrails and lighting
Lea No.3 Glue
When parts have sharp edges, projections or recesses, a raking action against the mop face can wear the compound head away early. Applying Lea No.3 Glue Adhesive to the mop before the compound reduces this, improving adhesion and head life, especially for aggressive cutting and deburring.
Product Specifications
| Brand | APH Industries (formerly Lea Manufacturing) |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Lea Satene compound |
| Abrasive | Aluminium oxide; silicon carbide grades on request |
| Grades in stock | A80, A120, A150, A180, A240, A320 |
| Grades on request | A320T, S120, S150, AS200 |
| Tube length | Approx. 240mm (9½”) |
| Bar weight | Approx. 0.85kg |
| Recommended speeds | Approx. 5,000 sf/m flexible polishing; 1,500–2,000 sf/m brushed effects |
| Unit of sale | One bar |
Need Help Choosing a Grade?
Contact Moleroda with the material being finished, its current surface condition, the mop or machine you are using and the finish you need.
