Thread: pasting with powders

I was not sure where to put this thread - I decided to put it in the workshop because it is kind of about building stuff.

Here is how I have been applying powder abrasive lately. I have been using a little bit of wax as a binder to keep the abrasives where I put them. Here are some pics showing how I applied cerium oxide to a couple of bench strops, One is balsa the other is denim covered.

I mix a pea size ball of wax in about an ounce of solvent (naptha, mineral spirits, lighter fluid, - anything wax is soluble in), When the wax is dissolved I add about a 1/2 teaspoon of abrasive and mix well. I used an atomizer this time too apply the mixture but a rag works nearly as well.

I have also used this technique with bars of buffing compound, I substitute the wax and abrasive with a small chunk of the buffing compound bar. Wax based buffing compounds dissolves pretty easily.

It is a little more involved than just rubbing the dry powder into the cloth or the wood, but it works very well and keeps the powder from getting everywhere. I like the way the bees wax makes the balsa feel.

Charlie