[Jewelry making - Article 00625] - Re: [Orchid] Polishing Problems

[Jon Lowe]

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    Kerry, Here's the process that I use (I'm self-taught: books and the
    web): 

    1. Garden-variety sandpaper (there's a Lowe's very close), starting
    with 150 grit (mostly for shaping and removing or flattening).  Then,
    going perpendicular to the scratches from the 150, I use 220 grit
    until all of the 150 scratches are gone.  Then I use 400 grit, again
    going opposite to the 220 scratches, until all of those 220
    scratches are gone.  The last step with sandpaper is with 600 grit,
    going against the 400 grain, until all of the 400 scratches are gone.
     (If you look at your piece as having a "top" and a "bottom", a
    "left" and a "right", I go "top-to-bottom" with the 150 and 400, and
    "right-to-left" with the 220 and 600).  I can only find up to 600 at
    the hardware store, but you could continue on with finer grits (800,
    1000, 1500) if you can find them.  And, if your piece doesn't really
    need any shaping, you could probably skip the 150 grit (although once
    starting, don't skip a grit (like from 220 to 600)). 

    2. I then switch to the flexible shaft (or dremel).  I use felt
    buffs (Rio Grande has a pretty good selection on p. 163 of their
    "Tools & Equipment" catalog) with White Diamond, typically making 3
    or 4 full passes over the piece. 

    3. Clean the piece of all of the White Diamond. 

    4. I then switch to Tripoli, still using the felt buffs.  Another 3
    or 4 passes over the piece (or to when you like the results).  Then,
    still with the Tripoli, I switch to a muslin buff, and use that for
    another few passes. 

    5. Clean the piece of all of the Tripoli. 

    6. Using a chamois buff, I then polish with Grey Rouge, this time
    only making 2 passes. 

    7. Clean the piece of all of the Grey Rouge. 

    8. Finally, with a chamois buff, I finish the piece with a couple of
    passes with Zam. 

    9. Clean the piece and I'm usually done. 

    I've had very good results with the process, although some of the
    other members of this list may say I'm over-polishing.  But, I am
    getting that "mirror" finish on my silver... 

    With the buffs, I try to use very light pressure and keep the piece
    moving all of the time.  Even though these compounds are very lightly
    abrasive, they are still "abrasive" and could wear a groove or a flat
    spot. 

    One other note, make sure to use a fresh buff/muslin/chamois piece
    whenever you switch polishing compounds (the White Diamond, Tripoli,
    Grey Rouge, and Zam). You won't get the results you want otherwise
    (I've always used new ones, so I can't be specific as to what would
    happen). 

Good luck!
Jon
{hey, I finally got to contribute something! :-) }

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