question for the pros here
how would i go about polishing my tophat i have all the tools needed i think just dont know what where or how to do it??? thanks
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http://youtu.be/6TsUCHNSodQ
this is how i did it if you know a way i can get inside the valve stem that would be great
Good job ❗
Here’s one of my before and after comparisons:
Pab’s right on the end of the stem!
Nice job though. Shold be a lot easier on the “0” ring in the breach! 😉
Mike
I would advise not to polish the last part of the stem that the valve seal attaches too. You want this as ‘grippy’ as possible 😉
thanks for the help guys here is a picture of one i did and one i did not do for a before and after pic
The second paragraph of lurkers post sums it up nicely. A drill press makes this easy. Good luck2 
:thumb:
For the most part the top hat is threaded inside to adjust on the threaded valve stem. Except inside its back end is a tiny oring.
The stem of a Condor hi-flo valve can be polished inside but more important it sometimes gets bent and/or dimpled inside from overtight top hat set screws. Find as large of a drill bit as will go in the stem (backwards, not the cutting end) to straighten it and remove the dimples as much as possible. I then used a small piece of rag with polishing compound, on a rod to polish it as good as I could. Use the same drill bit (backend) to back up the valve stem when snuggling up the final setting. A tiny amount of blue locktite should then be used on the set screw threads.
I polished my tophat by removing the whole stem, put the stem end in a drill to spin it, Apply Pressure From BOTH Sides so as to not bend and destroy the stem, using Crocus polishing cloth, then rag with polishing compound to smooth and brighten the finish. You don’t want to make it smaller, just polished enough to make it pretty.
I also used a hone only on the end, to round it a bit, then polished it also. That helps a tight breech oring slide onto the tophat and not wear the oring as much.
Absolutely X2
thanks guys when i said tophat i ment the stem
For the most part the top hat is threaded inside to adjust on the threaded valve stem. Except inside its back end is a tiny oring.
The stem of a Condor hi-flo valve can be polished inside but more important it sometimes gets bent and/or dimpled inside from overtight top hat set screws. Find as large of a drill bit as will go in the stem (backwards, not the cutting end) to straighten it and remove the dimples as much as possible. I then used a small piece of rag with polishing compound, on a rod to polish it as good as I could. Use the same drill bit (backend) to back up the valve stem when snuggling up the final setting. A tiny amount of blue locktite should then be used on the set screw threads.
I polished my tophat by removing the whole stem, put the stem end in a drill to spin it, Apply Pressure From BOTH Sides so as to not bend and destroy the stem, using Crocus polishing cloth, then rag with polishing compound to smooth and brighten the finish. You don’t want to make it smaller, just polished enough to make it pretty.
I also used a hone only on the end, to round it a bit, then polished it also. That helps a tight breech oring slide onto the tophat and not wear the oring as much.
x2 I think you mean polishing the stem
Why do you want to polish the tophat?
what size dremel bit should i use to get in the tophat
You can remove the top hat with a tool like this that you can buy at an automotive store.
You can also pry up the top hat GENTLY with a flat bladed screwdriver.
Aninas is correct. The air in the tank cannot excape because of the derlin seat at the bottom of the valve seals the bottom.
Yes, you have to take the tophat out of the valve. There shouldn’t be any need to empty the tank though. The delrin seal will keep the air in the tank, when you are ready to put the tophat back in just push it in a little and dry fire the gun a few times.
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That’s what she said…. 😆