Wrought Iron help needed.

[jim moyer]

How are you finishing the wrought Iron to show and maintain the pattern within.

I have etched with the PCB for up to 30 minutes to reveal the pattern. However with light application of a buffer or 1200 grit paper the pattern is disappearing.

Being this is my first attempt with this metal I sure could use some suggestions to bring it to its highest level of beauty.

Thanks,

Jim

 

[rocketmann]

Jim, I etch mine in 50/50 F/C for several hours to get a very deep etch that won't buff of sand out..

 

[jim moyer]

Jim, I etch mine in 50/50 F/C for several hours to get a very deep etch that won't buff of sand out..

Thanks a bunch rocketmann. A deep etch is what I am looking for to enhance this project.

Jim

 

[JCaswell]

I etch in F/C too, but not nearly that long. Here's an example of the look on a couple dagger hilts.

http://www.caswellstudios.com/SwordPages/BodyPages/Enlarged/12-7-03/Daggers/5.html

http://www.caswellstudios.com/SwordPages/BodyPages/Enlarged/12-7-03/Daggers/1.html

 

[the possum]

However with light application of a buffer or 1200 grit paper the pattern is disappearing.

Sandpaper and power tools will eat down the high layers without touching the valleys, until everything is flat & even again. If you're trying to clean the black residue out and polish everything just a bit, here's a different method to try: Use a toothbrush or other brush with fine yet stiff bristles, charged with a fine mild abrasive. Just get the brush damp and dip it in your abrasive to load it. Then scrub your piece, constantly re-charging the brush as needed. This way the bristles get down in all the valleys of the pattern and polish the high & low layers equally.

I just step outside and rub it in the dirt a bit, and knock off the bigger particles. Our clay soils here are perfect since it is not an aggressive abrasive and is very fine. It leaves a surface with a somewhat dull luster that still looks polished, but of course you can use whatever abrasive media you want for the finished look.

 

[jim moyer]

Thanks a bunch JCaswell and the possum. J the look you are getting is just what I am looking for and thanks for the abrasive tips possum. All tips are appreciated and will be put to good use.

Thanks again,

Jim