What's the best way to polish cold cast metal?

[RelicMaker]

Like the topic states!
I was wondering who has experience in polishing up cold cast metal pieces right out of the mold.
I'm new to cold casting metal, so I was wondering if any of you guys know the best techniques in making it look like it was solid polished metal.

This is for the plaques that I'm doing for the National Treasure box. So, whoever could give me their expertise on polishing up a piece like this, I would appreciate it!thumbsup

 

[TheGreenMachine]

I use #0000 steel wool and then polish using metal-glo and a rag. So long as the cold casting was done properly it usually works pretty well.

- TGM

 

[Newbie Doobie]

Have you tried brasso? This is what I use to hand polish metal with. I works great with aluminum,gold,copper,and steel! I use 600 grit wet,or dry to smooth it out first,then polish with a terry cloth towel. You might want to use a clean towel to remove any residue,then rub REAL HARD to make the finish shine like a mirror! It just depends on how rough the surface is that you're working on. You might have to work with 220 - 320 grit sandpaper,then graduate to 400 wet,or dry paper,then to 600 grit. If this needs to be super shiny like a mirror,and it's a soft metal,then go with 600- 1200-1500 grit wet,or dry sandpaper,and a little dishsoap,and warm water will make the final polishing process a LOT easier! I have a buffing machine(pedestal buffer)for big items,and musical instrument finishes. This makes it a breeze to do this! If you don't have one,then harbour freight has some buffing compounds,and flannel wheels that you can use with a regular power drill.

 

[foxbatkllr]

0000 steel wool and mother's mag aluminum polish.

 

[GuntahKela]

I've tried the steel wool and brasso, too. It gave me some results, but I had to do many, many Brasso coats.

Can someone post pics of their cold cast results after treated?

 

[Roughneckone]

I've tried the steel wool and brasso, too. It gave me some results, but I had to do many, many Brasso coats.

Can someone post pics of their cold cast results after treated?

Here are some shots of my Coldcast Cyberman head after treating with steel wool, wet and dry (It's awhile ago so I can't remember exactly what grades but fairly fine) and finishing using several applications of Autosol metal polish. Turned out very well as far as I am concerned.

Roughneckone :cool

 

[RelicMaker]

I was using the steel wool and it seems to do a pretty good job. I just wanted to know if there was anything else I could try to achieve a better polish.
Thanks for your tips guys!thumbsup

 

[Hez]

Roughneckone, do you know which metal powder was used in that cyberman helmet? Aluminum, nickel/silver...?

 

[kropserkel]

I was using the steel wool and it seems to do a pretty good job. I just wanted to know if there was anything else I could try to achieve a better polish.
Thanks for your tips guys!thumbsup

Brasso has worked well for my cold casting pieces.
http://www.homesolutionsnews.us/brassopolish/index.shtml

 

[RelicMaker]

Just wanted to add, that if you guys want an antiqued brass look. The brass darkening solution works just like as if it were solid brass.
You just dip the piece into the solution until it darkens up enough that you're satisfied with, and then you can take the steel wool to buff out the highlights.:thumbsup

 

[Roughneckone]

Roughneckone, do you know which metal powder was used in that cyberman helmet? Aluminum, nickel/silver...?

The Cyberman head in the pics was done with Aluminum powder.

Roughneckone :cool