Dear metalsmiths:

I have a project where I'm trying to a achieve that perfect, soft matte finish on silver. You know, that matte that glows on its own. (see bottom of post for example)

Does anyone have a recommended technique? Tumbling? Buffing? Flex-shaft? I'm currently using a mesh-brush attachment on the flex shaft, and the results are good, but not *quite* what I want.

The objects in question are small, round, hollow-formed silver beads never more than 1" in diameter, so easily can fit in a tumbler.


This is the type of finish I'm hoping to emulate:



Credits: “Spore Shaker” Heather Bayless Seoul, South Korea

From the small photo it looks like a sandblasted finish. If you use sandpaper, synthetic steel wool (NEVER real steel wool as it will contaminate your work) or even the new 3m disks the matte finish would be directional. I use a small compressor with aluminum oxide in a cabinet I make out of plastic file box. Good luck, Judie Raiford www.RaifordGallery.com

Ah sandblasting, I was afraid of that. I don't have a good space for sandblasting right now, so it looks like I'll be hiring some space or equipment soon. Thanks! (Oh, too bad I didn't know about your gallery. Just moved from Rome a few weeks ago. Next time I'm back I'll try to swing by. It looks wonderful!)

I agree with Judie ... although in the mid-Atlantic area we call it beadblasting ;) I'm guessing it's either the same or very similar, we use teeny tiny glass beads to hit the silver. I've been really happy with the finish from the semi-matte ceramic shot and from the matte pyramid shot. You might want to do a sample on a scrap of silver to see if either of these will work for you. Good luck!

Have you tried polishing with a 3M Scotch Brite? The kind used to clean pots and pans. i have the green one and I've just strated experimenting with it and after oxidising, I remove excess oxide with it and the result is kind of what you showed. I think it looks really pretty but it may not be as shiny as you want... try it on a scrap piece and see if it works for you! LEt us know!

Hello! It is a bit surreal to come across one of your own pieces on a site like this....but hope this can help.

To achieve the finish on this piece, I polished only up to about 220 or 320 (can't remember...but I'm not big on polishing above these grades). I then did my firescaling and used a coarse, green scotchbrite pad while scrubbing/cleaning. To complete it, I sealed it a couple times with Renaissance wax, letting it dry completely before buffing off each time (just by hand with a terry cloth towel, not anything mechanical), helping it to stay untarnished as well as adding a nice sheen to the finish. Good luck!

 

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www.heatherbayless.com

Heather…WOW, how generous of you to offer us the exact process to achieve this matte finish. I am always grateful to any artist that is willing to share a new technique!

 

I just started using Renaissance wax to seal copper after baking in the oven to keep those beautiful colors intact on the metal, didn’t even think about using it to polish a textured silver piece. Thanks again!

 

Best, Tink

 

Btw, your metal work is very moving.

 

Heather, thanks so much for your response. I never expected to hear back from the artist herself! The finish is beautiful, I can't wait to try it, and thanks for sharing.

Your work and website is great btw.

No wonder my matte stuff was always tarnishing so fast?!  I was never sealing it!  Is this how you can preserve the look on gold filled as well (using renaissance wax)? 

 

In response to Heathers post, just wondering what you mean by "then i did my firescaling."

Are you referring to removing it??? Because I have recently made a piece that I can't seem to remove the scale from and it's driving me nuts!!

If you have any tips I would be ever so grateful!!

 

Breanna Timmins