Originally Posted by
Euclid440
Sand with 600 and go easy over the etch. 600 will polish nicely with 1k and you can polish 1k with a good metal polish, or go to 2k then polish. The stamp side does not look too bad, try some 1k first and drop down if needed.
More importantly 600 will tell you how much more work is needed for deep pitting and if you need to drop to 400 or lower.
The back side will take lower grit to get the pitting out, but 600 will let you know if you really want to go deeper or live with some pitting. I try to sand with the highest grit that will remove the damage and create the shallowest scratch pattern.
600 is also a nice satin finish if you decide, not to go for a mirror. Sand with a wine cork wrapped with a 3x3 inch piece of 6mm craft foam. Sand edge to spine until you get an even stria pattern then sand heel to toe, removing the previous pattern. Keep alternating until you get an even finish.
If you want a satin finish, take it to 1k, then sand with 600 in a single direction, with new clean paper wet, to lay down an even satin finish.
I usually begin any hand sanding with 600 and evaluate, unless the blade just needs brightening, in which case I begin with 1k. 1k and Green greased compound on a buffer will make as blade pop, if it is not scratched or pitted.
I sand dry until the finish paper. Then with WD40, Simple Green or Windex. Fresh, clean paper and even pressure, is the key to a good final finish.
