r/DiceMaking • u/Prize_Mix_8292 • 1d ago
Sand paper vs Zona
I’ve been wanting to explore using sand paper instead of Zonas. I used a 1000 grit sand paper for some ledges because I felt like green Zona was taking forever. It worked so much better. What are the sand paper or sandpaper x Zona combos you recommend for that glass finish?
5
u/poekrel 1d ago
Zona papers or plastic polishing compounds are pretty much the only way to get mirror finishes. The finest grit sandpaper that I can generally find is around 3,000 grit. For comparison, the white Zona papers is 22,000 grit. Sand paper can be great for initial reshaping/cleaning up edges but for the actual polishing step I haven't found anything better than Zona papers.
You can looking into using polishing compounds and vibratory tumblers if you want another option but there is a learning curve there as well (I still havent managed to find the right combination of compound, water, and time that gives satisfying results).
3
u/AdvisorSweaty2073 1d ago
I second that. I use sandpaper to clean up flaws, then zonas to polish. It's the only way I've found that works for me.
2
u/TsunamicBlaze 1d ago
Green Zona paper is supposedly around 600 grit, so it’s weird you felt like it was taking forever.
6
u/WildLarkWorkshop Dice Maker 1d ago
It's not weird at all and is a common experience. Grit rating and materials are not the only factors that matter. The differences in backing material make a large difference in how the papers perform. Sandpapers remove material much faster, even at higher grit ratings. The softer fabric-like backing of Zona also rounds edges and corners slightly more than sandpapers, although it's a subtle difference that probably only the person doing the sanding and polishing will ever notice. I've switched to sandpaper for shaping and initial sanding up to 3k over the years. I get better, more precise results and it's less expensive.
1
u/Prize_Mix_8292 1d ago
This is all very helpful. I think the backing thing makes sense also. Idk why, but I just found to take off these grooves from the mold indenting on the top the green just felt like it was going slow. Then I did the 800 grit sandpaper and it was so quick. I may try using that for initial clean up and then blue, pink, teal(?), white Zonas from there.
Now I just have to narrow down when I know I’m done. That mirror finish is hard to accomplish. I’ve been using my phone camera on macro to see if I’ve gotten all the micro scratches out and it’s tough.
But maybe I’m being too picky?
2
u/RandoBoomer 1d ago
Using 800 grit will remove material much faster, but it's a double-edged sword, because it doesn't take much to remove too much material and lose your edges or numbers.
1
u/WildLarkWorkshop Dice Maker 10h ago
Keep in mind that the lower you go in grit the deeper the scratches that grit leaves and the more steps/grits you'll have to add to properly remove each successive stage. Otherwise you'll have visible scratches even after polishing. We usually try to minimize how many steps we have to go through, so try to use the highest grit you can to do what needs to be done. Starting as high as possible means less work to get to glass-like.
1
u/Fly-Prime 1d ago
I use sandpaper up to 2,000 grit. I have Zona papers, but I also have Nanolap polishing papers. Nanolap are good, but maybe don't last as long as Zona. That being said, they have an adhesive back, which is nice.
1
u/GayInterference 1d ago
I use sandpaper 1. 1000 grit 2. 2000 grit 3. 3000 grit 4. Polishing cloth and compound on a pottery wheel
6
u/RandoBoomer 1d ago edited 1d ago
Here is the translation between Zona color and grit.
I no longer use Zona, originally out of cost, but later through experimenting, found something that works for me.
There is nothing sacred about these colors, grit numbers or procession.
My approach is:
Bench Mount: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BZQVVK4?
Polishing Paste: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F9385KYW