The Right Wheel for the Job: Salem's 2025 Guide to Glass Polishing and Finishing Tools

In the world of glass fabrication, the quality of your finish depends on far more than the operator or machine alone.  The type of polishing wheel you use—and when you use it—can make a substantial difference in clarity, durability, and production speed. With a variety of polishing wheels on the market, each designed for specific steps in the finishing process, it's essential to understand how these tools work together to achieve flawless results.

Salem Fabrication Technologies Group offers a full spectrum of high-performance polishing wheels for every phase of the glass finishing process.  Here's a closer look at the main types, what they do, and how they can elevate your shop's output.

The Glass Finishing Process: A Multi-Stage System

Glass finishing is not a one-step operation.  It includes multiple stages, such as edge grinding, beveling, scratch removal, and clarity polishing.  Each stage may require a different wheel material, shape, and grit to achieve the desired result.  Using the correct wheel at the correct stage not only ensures a high-quality finish but also extends tool life and minimizes rework.

Salem helps fabricators streamline this process with a comprehensive lineup of wheels that address specific needs from start to finish.

Cerium Polishing Wheels: High Clarity, Low Waste

When it comes to final-edge polishing, cerium polishing wheels are the gold standard. Infused with cerium oxide, these wheels chemically interact with the silica in glass to remove micro-defects and deliver a crystal-clear finish.

Salem's FinishLine cerium wheels are known for: 

• Up to 50% longer lifespan than conventional models
• Natural rubber based for flexibility and coolant compatibility
• Excellent performance with automated and manual operation

Whether you're polishing shower doors, tabletops, or architectural glass, these wheels provide superior clarity and consistency.

Edge Deletion Wheels: The Key to IG Unit Integrity

For insulated glass (IG) units, edge deletion is critical.  It involves removing Low-E or other coatings around the edge of a glass lite to ensure a strong seal with the spacer system.  Skipping this step, or doing it poorly, can compromise long-term performance.

Salem's edge deletion wheels are engineered for efficient, low-heat coating removal. Their high-quality abrasives and balanced construction allow for clean passes that won’t damage the substrate.

Applications include: 

• Low-E coated IG unit prep
• Glass for facades and curtain walls
• Any application where coating must be removed near the perimeter

Felt Wheels: Buffing and Scratch Removal

While cerium wheels do most of the heavy polishing, felt wheels take care of fine finishing.  Made from wool or synthetic fibers, felt wheels are ideal for applying cerium slurry, removing minor scratches, and buffing the surface to a high luster.

Use felt wheels in: 

• Final polishing stages
• Spot repairs or touch-ups
• Pre-coating or post-cleaning steps

Their flexibility makes them excellent for manual or automated polishing where surface conformity is needed.

General Polishing Wheels: Matching Tool to Machine

Not all polishing wheels are cerium-based or felt.  Salem offers a wide selection of polishing wheels that include diamond metal and resin cup wheels and peripheral wheels designed for specific machines and edge profiles.

Choosing the right configuration depends on: 

• The type of edge (flat, arris, bevel)
• Machine compatibility (straight-line edgers, edgers/miterers, bevelers, shape polishers, or CNCs)
• Desired finish level

Salem provides wheels compatible with major global machine brands and regional formats, ensuring easy integration.

Machines and Wheels: Built to Work Together

For maximum efficiency, polishing wheels must work in harmony with edging machinery.  Salem’s own KODIAK® glass edging machines are built to integrate seamlessly with their premium wheel offerings.  These machines feature automatic lubrication, heavy-duty construction, and intelligent control systems -making them ideal partners for high-performance tooling.

Additionally, Salem’s HHH Equipment division offers a full range of glass edging and polishing machinery, backed by U.S.-based service and support.

Why Fabricators Choose Salem

Glass finishing requires precision at every level—from tooling and material handling to machinery and technical support.  Salem Fabrication Technologies Group delivers all three: 

• Expertise: Decades of experience with glass fabrication equipment and supplies
• Quality Products: Durable, high-performance wheels engineered for the demands of glass fabrication.
• Support: Knowledgeable sales and service teams to help with selection, setup, and optimization

Whether you're upgrading a single workstation or setting up a full finishing line, Salem offers the tools and guidance to help you succeed.  Their polishing wheels aren’t just tools — they’re precision solutions that keep your fabrication line running faster, cleaner, and more competitively