Surfaces: Stoning and Sanding

Surfaces: Stoning and Sanding

To smooth the surface after and between firings:

• Use either the alundum stones or diamond pad files under running water.
• Grind down the high points.
• If there is an appreciable difference between the high and low areas, you may want to pack the low areas with more enamel and refire.
• If the piece is relatively flat, stone until the entire surface is matte.

To make the surface glossy again:

• Refire

To keep the surface matte:

• Go through the diamond pad files (just like sandpaper) to the grit you want.

The alundum stones and diamond pad files can also be used to remove any stray bits of enamel that fire to the clean metal surface while counter enamelling and they clean the edges up nicely as well. 

Alundum stones are 150 or 220 grit.

3M Diamond pad files are: 80, 150, 220, and 400 grit.

3M also has Diamond Hand pads which come in the same grit and are similar to sanding blocks.