Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post - De-rusting and etching Damascus gun barrel

DaveA · 12th June 2013, 06:58 PM

If you are looking for an abrasive, I highly recommend that you control the grain size. Other members have commented on the need to control hardness and force used when removing rust. Grain size in your abrasive is also important.

I have had excellent fortune with a product called "37-948 3M Micron Polishing Papers" available from Amazon and elsewhere. It comes as a 6 piece pack of 8 ½ x 11 inch papers in assorted grain sizes ranging from 30 microns to 1 micron. They are color coded so you can easily recognize which is which; otherwise it would be very difficult. The particles on the paper are micron graded aluminum oxide and silicone carbide in a slurry that is affixed to the very flexible backing material. When you work with grains at the micron level, it does not leave visible marks and it is easy to control how much material you want to remove by choosing the right size. The smaller grain sizes, when used in sequence larger to smaller, bring a super luster shine to the metal. That said, if you use the 30 micron size with lots of pressure and over a long time, you are definitely stripping more metal off than you should!

The 3M papers are nearly indestructible and the papers can be used again and again. The paper does not rip or separate, even with vigorous use. I typically cut a small piece for easy handling. They work wet or dry, on flat or curved surfaces with ease.

Best Regards,

Dave A.

12th June 2013, 06:58 PM	#25
DaveA Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 415	micron polishing paper to control grain size If you are looking for an abrasive, I highly recommend that you control the grain size. Other members have commented on the need to control hardness and force used when removing rust. Grain size in your abrasive is also important. I have had excellent fortune with a product called "37-948 3M Micron Polishing Papers" available from Amazon and elsewhere. It comes as a 6 piece pack of 8 ½ x 11 inch papers in assorted grain sizes ranging from 30 microns to 1 micron. They are color coded so you can easily recognize which is which; otherwise it would be very difficult. The particles on the paper are micron graded aluminum oxide and silicone carbide in a slurry that is affixed to the very flexible backing material. When you work with grains at the micron level, it does not leave visible marks and it is easy to control how much material you want to remove by choosing the right size. The smaller grain sizes, when used in sequence larger to smaller, bring a super luster shine to the metal. That said, if you use the 30 micron size with lots of pressure and over a long time, you are definitely stripping more metal off than you should! The 3M papers are nearly indestructible and the papers can be used again and again. The paper does not rip or separate, even with vigorous use. I typically cut a small piece for easy handling. They work wet or dry, on flat or curved surfaces with ease. Best Regards, Dave A.