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Polishing and buffing metal

· 1 min read · Techniques

Illustration: Polishing and buffing metal

Polishing is the final step that gives a jewel its shine. It consists of removing marks with ever finer abrasives until the surface reflects like a mirror.

Steps of the technique: File and sand, Choose the wheel, Tripoli, Clean, Rouge, Wash
Summary of the steps

From sanding to shine #

  1. File and sand (grit 400, 600, 800, 1200).
  2. Polish with a cotton or felt wheel and a cutting compound (tripoli, brown).
  3. Buff with another wheel and a fine compound (rouge, red).

Tools #

Flex shaft or bench polisher with felt, cotton and bristle wheels and points; polishing compounds. One wheel per compound, so they do not mix.

Safety #

Tie back hair and avoid loose clothing; do not wrap the piece or hold it with the wheel toward you; wear glasses and a dust mask.

What to polish and what not #

Soft stones and enamels are not polished on the wheel. Repeated polishing removes metal: do not do it more than necessary.

Step by step #

  1. File and sand. Up to grit 800 or 1200.
  2. Choose the wheel. Felt, cotton or brush.
  3. Tripoli. Wheel with cutting compound (brown).
  4. Clean. Wash the piece to remove the compound.
  5. Rouge. Another wheel with fine compound (red).
  6. Wash. Ultrasonic or soap, and dry.

Tools and materials #

  • Flex shaft or bench polisher
  • Felt, cotton and bristle wheels
  • Polishing compounds
  • Glasses and dust mask

Common mistakes #

  • Mixing compounds on one wheel.
  • Polishing with the piece not secured.
  • Pressing too hard: the metal burns.
  • Rounding edges by over-polishing.

See also #

This entry was drafted with the help of AI and is pending review by the author.