Only Use Nylon Brush For Cleaning Diamond Grinding Wheels

Even fairly new diamond grinding wheels can suffer blunting due to glazing or grime buildup. Glazing is the result of using incorrect speed settings or incompatible work piece material that leads to over-generation of heat. The heat causes the metal binder to soften and move, covering the diamond abrasives. With the diamond abrasives unexposed, the grinding wheel loses its bite.  Grime buildup is caused by dust and filings grinded off from the work pieces that attaches to the surface of the grinding wheel. It has the same effect as glazing in which the diamond abrasives become covered. Unlike glazing, grime buildup is easier to fix. All you have to do is clean the grinding wheel which is a very straightforward task.

In cleaning, what you need is a mineral spirit, cloth, and brush. Soak the cloth with mineral spirit and wipe it on the grinding wheel. The mineral spirit will loosen up the grime. Just wiping with the cloth will remove 90 percent of the grime. For the remaining grime, you will need to use a brush.

In cleaning diamond grinding wheels, many make the mistake of using brass or steel brush. Either of the two does remove grime very quickly. However, the metal bristles of these brushes are too hard and can damage the grinding wheel. These brushes can cause premature wear of the grinding wheel. Use a nylon brush instead. It may not remove the grime as quick, but it helps protect the diamond grinding wheel. If the grime is hard to come out, you can just re-soak with the mineral spirit then brush it again.

Remember, only use a nylon brush for cleaning diamond grinding wheels.