preparing metal parts

[JohnN]

Just wondering how different people prepare metal parts for polishing. Especially interested in how the fine lines are removed. Do you use straight or circular motions ? That kind of thing.

[Indiana]

I polish things using sandpaper, working it down to continually finer and finer grits.  Make it as smooth as you can with a file, first, then just start with sand paper and keep working down.  Sand it in straight lines.  I usually get to around 600 grit and then buff it with 0000 steel wool and it comes out just plain gorgeous.  

What're you polishing?

[Uncle Russ]

Just wondering how different people prepare metal parts for polishing. Especially interested in how the fine lines are removed. Do you use straight or circular motions ? That kind of thing.

Hi John, Welcome to the forum.

Personally, when I am prepping anything metal that requires file and sand paper work, I always run the cutting in the same direction....and, like Indiana said, I get smaller and smaller, meaning less aggressive as I go down to 0000 steel-wool and even then I keep that in the same direction too, normally under a block just like sandpaper......I also finish dress metal with a piece of white scotch brite. The other colors are a bit courser and will sometimes scratch.

Uncle Russ...