A processing element for processing a profile-shaped or flat metallic workpiece, with the processing element designed such that a plurality of similar processing elements can be arranged one behind the other on a supporting device in the longitudinal direction of the supporting device, the supporting device can be driven in a circulating manner and the plurality of processing elements can be guided past the workpiece for surface processing at least approximately linearly by means of the supporting device. A rectangular or block-shaped main body having bearing surfaces for bearing on the supporting device is provided, and oblong ribs protruding outward in a web-like manner are provided on the main body on opposite flat longitudinal sides and overlap the corresponding opposite flat longitudinal sides of the main body on an identically embodied processing element, which is arranged between the ribs.

An open, lofty nonwoven scouring material comprising natural fibers and a method of making the scouring material is disclosed. The scouring material comprises a three dimensional nonwoven web of entangled fibers comprising natural vegetable fibers and synthetic fibers. Natural vegetable fibers comprise 20 to 80% wt. of the fibers of the web. The synthetic fibers comprise at least first synthetic fibers having a first melting point and second synthetic fibers having a second melting point that is higher than the first melting point. The first synthetic fibers entirely melt and coalesce at mutual contact point of the natural fibers and second synthetic fibers to bond the fibers together and to create voids. The bonded web has a maximum density of 60 kg/m.sup.3.

An open, lofty nonwoven scouring material comprising natural fibers and a method of making the scouring material is disclosed. The scouring material comprises a three dimensional nonwoven web of entangled fibers comprising natural vegetable fibers and synthetic fibers. Natural vegetable fibers comprise 20 to 80% wt. of the fibers of the web. The synthetic fibers comprise at least first synthetic fibers having a first melting point and second synthetic fibers having a second melting point that is higher than the first melting point. The first synthetic fibers entirely melt and coalesce at mutual contact point of the natural fibers and second synthetic fibers to bond the fibers together and to create voids. The bonded web has a maximum density of 60 kg/m.sup.3.

A buffing and polishing member has an uncompressed monolithic body of foam material having slits from an outside surface toward and less than a distance to a rotational axis of the body. The slits, on circumferential spaced planes, extend generally radially from the outside surface toward and less than a distance to the rotational axis to define a plurality of foam fingers and an unslit center portion. A fastening mechanism holds the center portion of the slit foam body in a compressed state along the rotational axis such that the uncompressed outer ends of the foam finger define a spherocylinder.

A buffing and polishing member has an uncompressed monolithic body of foam material having slits from an outside surface toward and less than a distance to a rotational axis of the body. The slits, on circumferential spaced planes, extend generally radially from the outside surface toward and less than a distance to the rotational axis to define a plurality of foam fingers and an unslit center portion. A fastening mechanism holds the center portion of the slit foam body in a compressed state along the rotational axis such that the uncompressed outer ends of the foam finger define a spherocylinder.

A processing element for processing a profile-shaped or flat metallic workpiece, wherein the processing element is designed such that a plurality of similar processing elements can be arranged one behind the other on a supporting device in the longitudinal direction of the supporting device, wherein the supporting device can be driven in a circulating manner and the plurality of processing elements can be guided past the workpiece for surface processing at least approximately linearly by means of the supporting device. A rectangular or block-shaped main body having bearing surfaces for bearing on the supporting device is provided, and oblong ribs protruding outward in a web-like manner are provided on the main body on opposite flat longitudinal sides and overlap the corresponding opposite flat longitudinal sides of the main body on an identically embodied processing element, which is arranged between the ribs.

Provided are buffing pads that have intertwined seams such that any hard or unyielding edges are covered and not exposed during a buffing or polishing process. A double-sided buffing pad for polishing surfaces comprises a backing plate; two fibrous buffing media with filaments of textiles extending therefrom that are affixed one media to each face of the backing plate; and a seam that is intertwined by a portion of the filaments from each media are intertwined. The filaments may be intertwined by needle-tacking, air entanglement, or hydro-entanglement.

Provided are buffing pads that have intertwined seams such that any hard or unyielding edges are covered and not exposed during a buffing or polishing process. A double-sided buffing pad for polishing surfaces comprises a backing plate; two fibrous buffing media with filaments of textiles extending therefrom that are affixed one media to each face of the backing plate; and a seam that is intertwined by a portion of the filaments from each media are intertwined. The filaments may be intertwined by needle-tacking, air entanglement, or hydro-entanglement.

The present application includes methods, apparatuses, and systems for cleaning an aluminum wheel. In particular instances, a method of treating an exterior surface of an aluminum vehicle wheel comprising: blasting the exterior surface a first occurrence for a first duration at a first velocity using blasting media; blasting the exterior surface a second occurrence for a second duration at a second velocity using blasting media after blasting the exterior surface for a first duration, the second velocity being substantially lower than the first velocity; and, arranging the vehicle wheel in contact with vibratory finishing media and vibrating the vehicle wheel with the vibratory finishing media for a duration after blasting the exterior surface in each of the first and second occurrences.