gilding tools cleanup
i've been lucky to find some gilding wheels on ebay for relatively cheap (certainly cheaper than new) and all in servicable condition. however, they've been pretty dirty, so thought this warranted a few comments on my clean up process.
you'll need:
- 220 grit sanding block
- 320 grit sanding paper
- 600/1000 grit polishing pad
- leather (horse butt or other good strop leather)
- some wd-40 if desired
make sure to do this outside (and probably with a mask on, especially important if done inside!).
- if the base of the tool is particularly rusty, use the 220 grid sanding block to clean up the rust. don't use this on the brass.
- transition to the 320 grit to clean up the base of the tool. it's probably unnecessary to use the 320 grit unless there's necessary reshaping of dents.
- use the polishing cloth on the edge of the wheel, you should go over the edge of the wheel until it glints in the sun.
- finish the edge by repeating the same steps of the 600 grit polishing pad with strop leather, much like you were finishing sharpening a knife.
i also recommend cleaning up the rust on the hardware holding the wheel to the handle. once cleaned up and reassembled, put a little wd-40 where the hardware meets the wheel and cleanup any overflow – don't want oil to get anywhere it shouldn't be!
before
after
last updated: 2023-10-11 21:46:27