Tripoli and Rouge - the differences and when to use them
You've used files and fine sand paper to shape and refine your work but very fine scratches and a dull finish remain. Your next steps are to polish and buff. In some cases these last two steps are skipped. Instead, some prefer to go straight for the tumbler or use a scotch-bright pad, steel wool or brass brush to impart a "textured" finish to the work to hide the imperfections. While these methods seem quicker and easier, they open the door to problems down the road.
So what is buffing and polishing and how and what do jewelers use to accomplish these tasks? Ask 10 different jewelers or metalsmiths what compounds and methods they recommend to finish their work and you will get 10 different answers. To confuse the issue more, formulas and tool recommendations are not consistent industry wide. For instance, each manufacturer uses different formulas for their "red tripoli" and so on. And then there are the names and terms used interchangeably.
Below are recommendations based on the most commonly used products which should get you started with minimal cost.
Note: For best results, polishing and buffing require the use of some sort of motorized tool like a flexshaft, micromotor, dremel or lathe machine.
To put it in the simplest terms...
#1 : Polish first - using tripoli to remove fine scratches from metal surface
#2 : Buff - using rouge to to impart a shine and luster to the metal surface
Choose your compound, the basics (check to make sure the compound will work with your metal):
1 : Tripoli - it will be labeled Tripoli and is reddish brown in color, use with a felt or fabric (muslin) wheel. The felt will be a bit more aggressive.
2 : Rouge - called Fabuluster, use with a fabric (muslin) wheel
!!!!! Do not cross contaminate your wheels, use Tripoli wheels only with Tripoli and Rouge wheels only with Rouge.
Clean up:
These products can be greasy and waxy. Ultrasonics or a solution of ammonia and water will remove it (caution with stones).
Here's a link to a great article on Ganoksin about this subject:
http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/nenam/buffing-material.htm
So what is buffing and polishing and how and what do jewelers use to accomplish these tasks? Ask 10 different jewelers or metalsmiths what compounds and methods they recommend to finish their work and you will get 10 different answers. To confuse the issue more, formulas and tool recommendations are not consistent industry wide. For instance, each manufacturer uses different formulas for their "red tripoli" and so on. And then there are the names and terms used interchangeably.
Below are recommendations based on the most commonly used products which should get you started with minimal cost.
Note: For best results, polishing and buffing require the use of some sort of motorized tool like a flexshaft, micromotor, dremel or lathe machine.
To put it in the simplest terms...
#1 : Polish first - using tripoli to remove fine scratches from metal surface
#2 : Buff - using rouge to to impart a shine and luster to the metal surface
Choose your compound, the basics (check to make sure the compound will work with your metal):
1 : Tripoli - it will be labeled Tripoli and is reddish brown in color, use with a felt or fabric (muslin) wheel. The felt will be a bit more aggressive.
2 : Rouge - called Fabuluster, use with a fabric (muslin) wheel
!!!!! Do not cross contaminate your wheels, use Tripoli wheels only with Tripoli and Rouge wheels only with Rouge.
Clean up:
These products can be greasy and waxy. Ultrasonics or a solution of ammonia and water will remove it (caution with stones).
Here's a link to a great article on Ganoksin about this subject:
http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/nenam/buffing-material.htm
