Pre-Polishing Tips (Finishing)
Hey everyone, I have been absent from the site for a bit, but I am doing good, staying healthy, and still making jewelry every day. I thought I would post a tip from the past, just to let y’all know I am still here. I will get back in the “groove” soon. Give me a comment to let me know you are all still out there as well. 
, I would recommend a 2 stage tumbling process, the first stage I usually tumble in a Ceramic Media
overnight for 8 – 12 hours. I have my tumbler hooked up to a timer, set it up overnight and get it in the morning. This will remove the casting surface and give you a consistent surface. Then I place the pieces in the same vibratory tumbler with Stainless Steel Media Mixed Shot
for 1-2 hours.
What the Steel does is “burnish” the surface and give you a shiny finish in those hard to get to places. A Magnetic Pin Tumbler
also works great for this operation, and will do the job much quicker. Magnetic tumbler media is a lot “finer” and will get into those hard to reach places, like between prongs and fine detail, much better. If you are not dealing with casted products and the surface is a little better to begin with, you can go right to the steel shot or magnetic pin tumbler.
If you do not have a tumbler, then work in “stages”. If your piece has scratches in it, you will have to remove the scratches before you start polishing. depending on the size and depth of the scratches will determine how aggressive you will work the piece. if you have deeper scratches, start with a file. As I mentioned in an earlier post, my favorite go-to file is a #4 cut Barrette Needle File
, it has a good cut to it, it has “safe sides” meaning you can place the edge or side of the file against en edge of the piece, and it won’t leave a mark. If you get one of these files, I suggest you modify the sides of your file. The teeth of the file do hang over the side a little bit, so I rub it on a Whetstone
to remove the burs or teeth that hang over, then polish it on a piece of paper with Yellow Rouge
on it, the same way I polish my graver blades. (see day 3 lesson)
After I file the scratches or defects out, I cut a small piece of sandpaper (400-600 grit) and wrap it around the end of the same file and sand over the area I filed. You can also attack the areas with Sanding Abrasive Discs
One thing I am trying to show you is there are different ways to go about getting the same results. you will develop your favorite processes, I am giving you some ideas to go about it, but if you skip the preping process, you work might suffer. Use some or all of these processes to prep your pieces before polishing and you will have a much better polishing experience, and a better looking piece in the end. I will go over some polishing tips soon, so stay tuned.
Now have a Great Day!
Doug
Comments
54 responses to “Pre-Polishing Tips (Finishing)”
Thanks Dave for the refresher! We are still out there and still learning from you!
Love your posts. Keep ’em coming. You keep me inspired.
Thanks Peggy, That is good to hear.
Doug
That’s cool, thanks. I will be here.
Take care
Doug
Am still here learning and making!
Good to hear Amanda!
Thanks so much for the prepolishing tips Doug! Sometimes we forget these things. I’m still here!
Stephanie, you are welcome and glad to see you are still here.
Doug
So good to see one of your posts! I always look forward to your tips and information. Thank you!
Jackie, you are welcome. I promise not to be gone so long in the future.
Doug
I’m still here! Glad you’re doing well.
Diane, I am doing very well. Thanks, and glad you are still around.
Doug
Thanks! You are always so helpful!
You are welcome Sheryl.
I’ve been out of the loop for a little over a year, but I’m back with a new studio and full time devotion to making jewelry! I really struggle with finishing my pieces to look like perfection. I’m still learning, hopefully always will be, but with about 3 years of metalsmithing trial and error, I’m happy to say that my work is definitely improving, and a lot of the credit goes to your posts. Thank you Doug for sharing so unselfishly!
Dana, you are so welcome and posts like yours just fuels my fire. When I hear others getting value from anything I have done, I remember why I am here.
Thanks!
Doug
Thanks for these tips. I’m looking forward to learning from you as I am relatively new to the wonderful world of jewelry making.
Tals, welcome to the world….. it is a good place.
Doug
Always look forward to your posts…re-runs or not. Learn a little something every time! Glad to hear you’re well!
I am doing very well Amie, thanks. Learning is always a good thing.
Doug
Never thought about tumbling before polishing. All I have is rouge impregnated pecan shells. Even that cleans things nicely. Then I could buff one more time
Jeff, anytime you can put something in a machine and go do something else and have the machine do part of your work it is a good thing. We just need more machines to do the rest….. haha
Doug
Great tips!
Thanks Ilse.
Always great tips from you Doug. Thank you
Dee, I wish I had more time to devote to the site, it is my passion. I just need to find my balance and “groove”. I will…..
Good to hear from you.
Doug
Thank you for the info:). Have a great weekend
Thank you Amy, I will. You too.
Doug
Hi Doug, glad you’re OK. I’ve missed your podcasts, so looking forward to hearing more from you. Lots of love, Shelly
Thanks Shelly, I look forward to getting back to a rhythm, I am learning patience and balance….. still learning.
Doug
These were great tips! I am still a beginner. May always be at the rate I am going, he he. But I sure do enjoy getting your emails! Thank you for sharing your knowledge!
Babette
Babette, keep at it, you will do good.
Thanks for this post Doug! I always appreciate your tips!
Cathy, you are welcome.
I’m new to your blog and already love it – thanks so much for sharing – I’m looking forward to sitting down and reading all you have already posted.
Welcome Anne, stay a while, enjoy!
Doug
Question??? If one does not have a vibratory tumbler, can you use your rotary tumbler with ceramic media for the same result with cast pieces?
Lesley, yes you can. you might have to play with the amount of time the pieces are in the tumbler though.
Thank you!
You are welcome Carolyn.
Thanks for the tips, Doug, pre-polishing is such a time saver! Glad you’re back!
Thanks Stephanie.
I always look forward to hearing from you! I appreciate all the tips you give.
Kate, thanks, it is my joy.
So happy that you’re healthy and well! Again…thank you for sharing of yourself with your wealth of knowledge!!! Stay up!!! :~}
Marion, it is good to be healthy again, I am feeling better than ever. #StillUp
Doug
Still here and still appreciating YOU and all you do!!!
Thank you Noctis! I ain’t going anywhere…..
Doug
Still here, Doug. Really appreciate all you do. Enjoying Instagram moments too.
Wallace, thanks. Hopefully I keep you entertained with all my “unorthodox” Instagram posts.
Doug
Glad you are doing well! Was just thinking I hadn’t seen any emails recently… Thank you for Sharing!!!
Thanks Sheree, I am doing well. I will get back in the “groove” here real soon.
Doug
Thanks Doug I always enjoy your post, podcasts and coments. Look forward to all future information.
Glad to be here for ya CAS, Thanks for the encouragement.
Doug