How to Polish Cold Cast Metal Castings
Cold cast metal, typically used for sculptural and other artistic purposes, is a type of metal that can be shaped and molded into different shapes without the use of extreme heat. This is beneficial for individuals who do not have the use of expensive metal working equipment. While cold cast metal does not shine up to a mirror-like finish, it will produce a brassy shine that is attractive. Polishing the metal is not difficult, but it is a time consuming process. It will take several hours to polish a casting made from cold cast metal. For larger pieces, it could take several days to complete the polishing process.
Instructions
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Run the rasp over any rough edges on the metal. Do as much major shaping or polishing that you want with the rasp. The rasp will cause some of the metal to scrape off, however, so take care not to remove more of the metal than you intended.
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Rub the surface of the metal with 0000 grade steel wool. Use a lot of pressure and work in circular motions. Keep polishing a section until a dull shine is visible from that spot. This could take five minutes or more for each section.
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Add a small amount of rosin to a buffing wheel. Buff the surface of the metal with the buffing wheel to bring out additional shine from the metal. Continue adding rosin to the wheel until a semi-bright shine emerges from the metal.
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Place some paste wax onto a soft cloth. Rub the paste wax over the metal to soften the shine and to give it a bright luster that is multidimensional. Add as much wax as desired to achieve the effect that you want. Allow the wax to harden for about 24 hours before displaying or using the metal.
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