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Finishing with Wet/Dry Sandpaper
Wet/dry sandpaper offers an alternative for
those who don't want to spend the money on diamond hand pads or cold
working equipment. The sandpaper, which generally
consists of a coating of silicon carbide particles on a waterproof
backing, is widely available from hardware, DIY, and woodworking
retailers.
One good use of wet/dry sandpaper is to
help achieve a smooth matte finish after sandblasting the surface of glass.
Start with 400 grit wet/dry sandpaper and plenty of water.
Place a sponge between your hand and the sandpaper and rub
thoroughly across the surface of the glass. Once the highs and
lows of the entire surface have smoothed out, switch to 600 grit and
go over the piece again. The key ingredient in this process is
TIME; it's essential to continue working with the sandpaper
until no scratches remain.
For a final finish, fire polish or slump,
preferably at a temperature below 1200F/650C. The low
temperature will ensure an even matte finish on the piece.
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Copyright 2006 Brad Walker.
All rights reserved.
Thanks to Steve Klein for
contributing to this tip.
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