Abrasive powders

[Monkey Mark]

I've just watched a Steve Ramsey video, the chess board one, and at the end he uses Abrasive powders.

Where can these be bought from and are some brands better than others?

 

[mouppe]

I have not seen the video you referenced, but I have used Behlen's 4F powder in the past when French polishing. I don't use it very often but I remember one particular application when it really did the trick. I was having trouble with a redwood burl veneer- lots of cracks, pores, end-grain etc.- and I could not get a good finish going. After sprinkling some of this powder around, the process went much more smoothly.

(My usual method is to hand sand with 320 grit paper and leave the dust on the surface. Then the shellac forces the dust into the pores and you get the same result.)

http://www.hartvilletool.com/product/23 ... ing-repair

 

[mrpercysnodgrass]

Rottenstone is pretty much the same wherever you buy it. Pumice on the other hand varies quite a lot. When I was an apprentice pumice was sold in grades like wire wool but now for instance if you buy Fiddes pumice it is quite coarse but Mylands quite fine. Indian brand pumice which you can get from workshop heaven is sold as FFF grade which is very fine, I use this for both grain filling and dulling. I have a sack full of flour emery which is coarser than either pumice or rottenstone, you are welcome to have a tub full for the cost of postage.