OK, I can help with polishing but not the lash clip business.
Wet diamond polishing pads.
Upside - These will polish everything and anything, it's why any major stone production line has wet polishing equipment. The degree of finish, speed and quality of polishing can't be matched by any other system. The pads are long lasting and economic.
Downside - It's messy, really messy. You'll need a full length apron and wellies, you'll look like a fishmonger! Plus the polishing tools themselves are pricey.
Dry diamond polishing pads
Upside - You don't have to dress like a fishmonger! But they are dusty. The pads are more expensive and don't last as long as wet pads. They work better on dense materials (granite etc) than soft materials (limestone, travertine). Can be used on site and in situ on a pre fitted product (in a customers house). The machines are less expensive to buy.
Downsides - cost of pads and lifespan compared to wet pads. Not great on soft stone of you want a high degree of polish.
Silicone carbide pads.
Upside - Cheap initial outlay and you don't need to dress like a fish monger. These will polish soft products to a high degree. These pads are still the pad of choice for stonemasons polishing marble, limestone and travertine unless they are doing vast quantities of it, in which case they go with wet diamond pads. The machines are relatively good value for money. These will also give you a very presentable edge on dense porcelain tiles.
Downside - The pads don't last a long time, they will not produce a very high degree of polish on very dense materials.
Recommendation
As a starting set up you'll be looking for 125mm silicone carbide pads with a velour backing and a 125mm Velcro backer (to allow quick and easy changes).
A good variable speed machine is the Makita 9565CVL - nice tool used by pro's and not stupid money.
If this starts becoming a regular thing, diamond pads will reduce the processing cost long term. One set of Diamond pad will last through many sets of Silicone Carbide pads.
Silicone Carbide (also known as carborundum to us oldies) are similar to emery paper/sandpaper. So the lower the number the coarser the grit (as is the rule with diamond pads).
40 grit is savage
60 grit is removing saw marks and flattening material
200+ grit is starting hone
800+ grit is starting to polish.
1200+ is providing a finished polished surface
Well know brand names for these pads are Hermes and Sait. (Until we get our Silicone Carbide pads to market!).
Any questions just ask.
