FINISHING COPPRclay™
Once fired, the COPPRclay™ piece is solid metal and, like any other metal, it can be sawn, drilled, sanded, patinaed or soldered using traditional jewelry tools and materials. Fired COPPRclay™ can also be enamelled (make sure to follow the recommended Firing Schedule).
Hand-Burnishing
Perhaps the most basic (and rewarding) way to polish COPPRclay™ is to rub it with any hard, smooth object. Commercial burnishers offer a time-tested tool shape held in a comfortable handle, but you can use knitting needles, teaspoons or polished wood nails. Rub the piece in all directions to bring out a shine. Follow this with a polishing cloth to smooth away burnishing marks.
Spectrum™ Finishing Papers
The screen mesh structure of Spectrum™ finishing papers resists loading to increase their effectiveness and help extend service life. Each sheet is reversible, doubling its useable surface area. The synthetic fiber backing of carefully graded white aluminum oxide abrasive can be used wet or dry and is especially effective on COPPRclay™. Sheets measure 8-1/4" x 11".
Scratch-Brushing
Brushes made from very thin stainless steel wires can be used to burnish COPPRclay™. Lubricate the brush with any sort of soap and work under a slow drizzle of water. Scrub in all directions. Scratch-brushing can be used in conjunction with any other technique.
Mass Finishing
A rotary tumbler is a mechanical device in which hundreds of steel balls and rods cascade against jewelry objects as they rotate in a drum like a miniature clothes dryer. Using this method, many pieces can be finished at once with minimal individual handling. A magnetic finisher with steel pins is also a very effective choice.
