MOLD POLISHING BASICS (TIPS & TRICKS)

1. Always shape the mold polishing stone on a bench grinder or coarse abrasive paper to provide maximum contact with the work surface.
2. Whenever possible, use good quality stoning lubricants (and don't skimp). This will prevent the mold polishing stone from loading, particularly with harder stones.
3. Hold the polishing stone firmly for directional control, but press hard enough to make the stone cut.
4. All polishing stone marks from the previous grit size must be completely removed (crossed out). Change stoning direction by at least 45% with each successive grit.
5. After each grit change, clean the work area thoroughly to remove all larger abrasive grain particles.
6. To avoid contamination, keep each specific grit of stone in a separate stoning lubricant container. This is important and often overlooked.
7. Don't roll sharp edges and parting lines. Use masking tape to prevent stoning over parting lines.
8. Finish stone with a 320 grit only prior to sending mold cavities/cores to be heat treated.
9. When using polishing equipment for stoning (profiler, ultrasonic polisher, etc.), use moderate speed and pressure only. Excessive speed/pressure can cause minute stresses of the metal surface resulting in "ORANGE PEEL".