Sanding and smoothing Graphite

[CosmicGlassInc]

Hey could somebody remind me how to sand down the face on the graphite I just picked up, it has ridges on the face, need to get it nice and smooth what sandpaper #'s are recomended and what order.


Thanks :D




Throck

[boxfan willy]

I would use 120 grit to take the initial ridges off. If you don't have a belt sander, use a sanding block or a piece of 2 x 4. Then a 220-240 or so. I finish with a 400 grit wet/dry. Orbital sanders leave a great finish, but only use it on the last grit or it sands waves in the graphite. Stay warm

boxfan

[Dog Squeez]

I use 400 and then 600 then fine steel wool end with a damp paper towel to clean off
the dust. Use a sanding block so you keep the surface flat.

Just the way I do it, any one who knows a better way please chime in,
Brian

Go with what Boxfan says, He knows a lot more about graphite than I do.
We were posted at the same time. :o

[CosmicGlassInc]

Hey thanks, I was just useing 60 and 120, I'll give that a try.



Throck

[jayglass]

Wet it a little and it will keep the dust down.... If you are using an electrice thing to sand with the graphite dust will burn your motor out fast...

[Greymatter Glass]

heh.... flip it over on the sidewalk and skate on it....or just rub it if you only need to take a litte off. It might piss off neighbors if you live in a nice part of town.... so maybe wash the sidewalk after? edit: on second thought, don't jump on the slab and push off, you might break it... it does work tho

then finish with steel wool and then wet (damp) paper towels. Yeah, the dust will eat up your electric motors on little orbital sanders and stuff, you can seal them with tape and just use them in short bursts so they dont over heat. like 10 seconds on 10 seconds off.

wax on, wax off. I like to put down some carnuba wax on paddles and marvering slabs, rub it in warm, too warm to hold but not smoking hot, and wipe off the excess with a dry towel. If you have really premium graphite you can actually polish the stuff to a mirror finish with a good buffing and wax. once it gets hot it'll turn matte again, but still.... it looks sweet.

Anyways..... concrete is like 60-120 grit, so yeah, hitting it with a finer grit, 320 or 400, you'll get really good results, but if there's deep ridges in it, use a corser grade.... and work down... remove the deep scratches till all the scratches are even, then switch to a finer grade and repete, till you're happy. 000 Steel wool is about like a 600 grit sand paper I think... I don't know of an actual way to compare it, but that feels about right to me.

-Doug