[Jewelry making - Article 00489] - [Orchid] Polishing Tips

[Bradley Zastrow]

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Hello All,

    I am primarily self-taught (orchid taught) and I have a few
    questions regarding final polishing of silver/gold.  I don't have
    the budget to buy a dedicated polishing machine - so I'm using my
    foredom with various buffs.  My question has two parts:  

    1) Is there any recommendations with respect to what particular buff
    material goes best with what compound?  For example, what is
    everyone's opinion with Zam or Red Rouge?  Is it best used on felt
    vs chamois vs muslin, etc...? Or am I over-analyzing the situation
    and does it really make much of a difference? 

    2) When I do final polish (primarily with Zam on silver) - it
    doesn't appear to polish as much as lay on a thick almost
    "grease-like" coating.  Granted, when I take an 'ol trusty
    toothbrush and some elbow grease, it comes off and my piece looks
    good - but what am I doing wrong here?  Am I applying too much
    compound, pressure on the wheel, or too high an RPM?  I've tried
    altering these variables with limited success - but I can't seem to
    quite "get it right".  I've played around with the 3M radial
    bristles (which I love) and some of the silicon polishers (don't
    love quite as much) - and while they do a pretty good job - I just
    can't seem to get a really good "mirror" polish.  I've learned
    (especially from Orchid - TY!) that one of the biggest problems with
    polishing is to make sure one doesn't short cut with the sanding &
    pre-polishing stage.  I feel that I'm working my way carefully
    through this stage - but who knows, maybe this is part of the
    problem?   

Thanks as always - and I appreciate your advice. 

Regards,
Bradley

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