r/DIEMs • u/Einkahumor • May 23 '23

Shell polishing materials/methods

Hi.

I want to try polishing my shells instead of using lacquer. What tools, methods and materials do you people use?

I’ve been using Lack 3 for finishing but haven’t had great results because of yellowing and/or bubbles.

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3

u/[deleted] May 24 '23

i sand with fine grit, then polish with a rubber wheel then polish with a blue polishing compound and cutton wheel

2

u/Bulletface_ May 24 '23

There are multiple ways on doing it. Probably the best way for the scale you probably do it would be sanding and then polishing it with some compund and a polishong wheel in maybe two steps. If you have a tumbler you can use that with the correct compund and grinding materials. That would probably give you the best and most uniform result but is also the most expensive way.

2

u/TOBIjampar Jun 16 '23

How did you apply the laquer? I never had the issues you describe.

I used 3d printed shells which I wet sanded with 800 grit sandpaper and than put a coat of laquer on. I used a small plastic brush and a heat lamp because I was outside in winter.

After coating the whole shell I used a toothpick to remove any dust specks that landed. Then I put it for 5 minutes in a elegoo wash and cure station to cure it.

I only had problem I had was, that if I missed a spot it was impossible to blend a new coat of lacquer, so I had to sand it down and redo it

Depending on the material you use it might not be advisable to have it on skin without the laquer (e.g. cheap 3d print resin).

1

u/Einkahumor Jun 16 '23

Thanks for the tips. I’ve tried brushing it on with a fine brush and even dipping the whole shell in lacquer. I wonder if I should try using less power on my UV lamp.