Finishing

**Lisa Quinn** · 23-09-2009, 07:57 PM

I don't know what is wrong with me at the moment, I'm finding it impossible to achieve a mirror like finish on any of my pieces, I'll polish or tumble and there always seems to be scratches that I just can't seem to get rid of. One particular pendant that I have been wet'n'drying and polishing for weeks, I've used rubber burrs, radial disks and I think I've got blummin' tennis elbow from all the rubbing and stuff, it is getting so blummin' thin that it won't be worth finishing soon. It nearly went out of the window today, I am soooo fed up with the flipping thing.

**bustagasket** · 23-09-2009, 08:05 PM

Deep breath Lisa, i have felt like that about a couple of pieces already and i have a mark on my fretwork pendent which is bugging me but i dont know how to get rid of it. Hopefully someone will have an answer for you, dont give up on it, i am sure its worth the perseverenace

**MuranoSilver** · 23-09-2009, 09:27 PM

Hi Lisa
Tumbling wont really get rid of scratches (it removes less material than burrs and sanding pads) but the shine it imparts will leave them more visible (annoying!)

Can I ask you what metal are you polishing?
nic

**Lisa Quinn** · 23-09-2009, 09:53 PM

Hi Nic,

It's sterling silver, I usually don't have any problems at all going through the grades 400 to 1200, then final finishing using burrs on the pendant drill.
I've recently bought a pendant drill and am using the same burrs that I had on my dremel, maybe that has something to do with it?

Lisa

**mizgeorge** · 23-09-2009, 10:07 PM

I barely use wet and dry now, and am a total convert to micromesh. I run through from 1500 to 12000 by hand, and then just tumble, and I'm really happy with the results. But I have to admit to really liking hand polishing (possibly a form of masochism?).

What burrs are you using out of interest?

**Lisa Quinn** · 23-09-2009, 10:17 PM

Hi George,

I'm using the brown and green burrs that come in the Cooksons multi packs.

Can I ask what micromesh is? Sounds interesting

Lisa

**MuranoSilver** · 23-09-2009, 10:18 PM

Have you used the burrs for anything else (perhaps they picked up some contamination?)
nic

**Lisa Quinn** · 23-09-2009, 10:31 PM

I have been using them for a while, so it is possible that they have been contaminated, it is perfectly possible that I have got impatient and gone back to the burrs after polishing with rouge without washing the item. I guess that I had better make use of the freepost offer and replace them asap.

Thanks

**agent_44** · 23-09-2009, 10:39 PM

Yes George, can you tell us abou this micromesh stuff, sounds interesting!

**mizgeorge** · 23-09-2009, 11:09 PM

I LOVE micromesh. It's basically wet and dry paper, but on a fabric backing. Comes in lots of grades, and as both cloths and pads. Rinses out under the tap and lasts for blummin ages!

I get mine from a woodworkers supply place on 't bay, but I suspect a certain lovely moderator may have a good source?

It's the same stuff that's used for the really good nail buffing pads as well