Jewelry Finishing: General Procedures and Tips
There are many steps to finishing and polishing jewelry. Understanding what happens to metals when using sandpaper and different compounds is important to achieving the final result. The one common factor that separates sandpapers and polishing compounds from each other is the different grits of each product. Some are more aggressive than others. But even more importantly, some products simply MOVE metal, while others REMOVE metal. Understanding the difference is crucial to finishing jewelry properly.
There are basically three general categories of finishing products used for finishing. They are:
- Sandpaper
- Tripoli
- Rouge
Sandpaper actually removes metal, and is usually the first step in finishing if there are soldered seams and/or rough spots. The next general step would be burnishing. Burnishing is a process that moves metal from the high spots into the low spots. Usually, this is done in the initial polishing stages, after pickling, to obtain a fairly smooth surface in preparation for final polish. Aggressive compounds such as Tripoli, Bobbing Compound and White Diamond, are some examples of compounds that burnish. Polishing compounds such as all the rouges, along with Zam and Fabuluster, provide the final luster or even a mirror like finish.
General Tips for Finishing:
- Avoid scratches from rough handling or unsuitable tools.
- Use smooth jaw pliers. Keep your hammers and anvils polished.
- File or sand off any scratches, and use emery to remove file marks.
- Start polishing with Tripoli or bobbing compound. Wash off all residues before moving to finer compounds. After you are done, give the piece a thorough washing to remove all traces of polishing compounds and binder greases.
- Avoid contamination. Use only one compound per buffing wheel.
For the beginning stages of buffing with coarser compounds, muslin buffs are used. Use chamois and sheepskin buffs to do the final stages. Buffs of larger diameter offer higher face speeds and longer life. Avoid overcharging wheels with compounds. If buffs get overcharged, clean with a buff rake or old files/hacksaw blades. Avoid premature wear of buffs and motor bearings by using a light touch.
Finally, do your buffing and finishing SAFELY. Tie back long hair, roll up long sleeves and remove wrist watches, bracelets and rings. Sharp projections on the work piece must point down while in contact with the wheel. Keep a light “breakaway” grip on the piece. Pay attention to what you are doing and always wear some form of respiratory protection while buffing with compounds.
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