
plating, anodizing, & finishing Q&As since 1989
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Finishing brass stock to mirror finish
2003
I have some 1 x 1/8 inch flat brass stock that I want to polish to a mirror finish. The stock has some roughness to it (extrusion irregularities?). I did a test on a section by sanding with a detail sander using 320, then 400, then 600, 800, & finally 1500 grit wet/dry paper. I sanded wet. I then buffed it using a
Dremel
[affil link] tool at low speed with a 1-inch cotton buff stating with brown
tripoli
[affil link], then green compound, then red
jeweler's rouge
[affil link]. The results were encouraging, but I had orbit marks from the sander. Also, not all of the extrusion irregularities were removed. How do I do this properly? Should I hand sand it first? Use a belt sander? Start with a coarser grit, maybe 220? Any suggestions would be welcomed.
Thank you,
- Schenectady, New York
October 31, 2009
Start with a cut & polish wheel, followed with an EXL deburring wheel. Then just buff it out and your done.
Jonny Grasselli- Plymouth, Massachusetts
