Here is a tip on how to prep a brand new cotton buff, prior to polishing from @piecesofstarrjewelry - “So when prepping a new buff (that is a cotton buff), I like to attach the new buff to the polishing machine and rake the buff (I use a metal file cleaner to loosen the cotton flyaways and generally clean my buffs when they’re gunked up). Once you’ve raked the new buff, remove it from the polishing machine and light the cotton flyaway/tails with a lighter and they will naturally burn to their end and then rub your hand around the buff to stop the burning process. Yes it may be warm to the touch but chances are you won’t burn yourself. Once you’ve let the burning run its course, you’ll have some black bits-don’t worry! This singes loose cotton flyaways that can be hazardous and get in the way of our polishing. Then you’re good to go, attach the buff and charge with desired polishing compound. One can also do this periodically as maintenance on buffs until the cotton flyaways even out and it’s no longer an issue. You can do that same to cotton Muslin flex shaft attachments for those of you that don’t have a big polisher yet 🙌” Thanks so much for sharing this with us! So helpful for those that are new to polishing machines/lathes etc. #metalsmithsociety #polishingbuff #jeweler #jewelerstools