What is Silicon Carbide Cloth

by Dale Armstrong
Question:

What is silicon carbide cloth? I've seen it suggested in a jewelry-making book to be used for smoothing wire ends.
Instructions
Answer:

Silicon Carbide Cloth is a type of sandpaper made with powdered Silicon Carbide, a compound of silicon and carbon (also known as moissanite).

It comes on different backings like polyester or a cotton-polyester blend (cloth), and the grit numbers indicate coarseness.

Grits from 400 to 1200 are fine and often found at auto repair stores. Lower numbers mean coarser abrasive, which you can find at hardware stores.

Coarse grits remove deep scratches quickly but leave smaller scratches that finer grits must smooth out.

In jewelry making, this cloth is mainly used to polish brass, aluminum, and copper.

You can use it wet or dry, glued to a block, dowel, pencil, or simply by hand.

I like using an inexpensive emery board for easy handling.

Answer contributed by Dale "Cougar" Armstrong

Materials

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Half Round Sanding Sticks Set of 6
BUF-751.98
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WET/DRY PAPER, 9 x 11 Assorted Grits
ABR-501
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ABR-600
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