Where to learn marble finishing?

[Wendicle]

I have been trying to find out how best to finish and polish a marble sculpture, preferable with as little pain as possible. (I have started doing it by hand and it's grueling...) Any one have any good resources to help teach me? I got the basic concept, but would really appreciate any pointers! Thanks.

[yserbey]

stop searching for new technique,
ur hands+sand paper+ water= is the best way to add to ur sculpture soul and spirit.
start with sand paper nb 40 till 400 , result worth the pain.

[Wendicle]

I was afraid you were going to say that. Maybe it will be less time-consuming as I get better at it. I am starting to see some results now. But the pain! Oh, the pain!

[yserbey]

hi, yup pain and sometime bleeding hands.
don't forget after finishing nb 400, to polish it with wax. all pain will vanish
good luck

[tonofelephant]

Depending on the type of sculpture, hand sanding is the only way to go. Unlike yserbey, I go 60 grit to 1200 grit. Its all about getting out the scratches.

In addition, I use a belt sander, die grinder with diamond sanding pads, & hand sanding block with diamond pads. Whatever gives me the finish.

the thing that kills me in hand sanding is the water softens your hands so much that the 60 & 80 grit paper really bites your hands. I use disposal kitchen gloves to help alleviate the baby pink skin that basically has almost exposed nerve endings. Everybody thinks I am washing the stone in acid then & do not come and ask any questions.

Carl

[yserbey]

waw carl 1200! i salut u
for me and as i know, from 40 till 80 no more scratches must stay.
120, 150, 180, 220, 300 and 400 smooth, shine and reveal the spirit of the stone.
sorry no balls to go till 1200, but must b great result.
regards

[Wendicle]

For me the pain is in my back. After about 4 hours a day, 2 days in a row, I almost couldn't get out of bed. Now I am sad. I am going back to the piece tonight after a 2-day break, but worried I could mess up my back. And if I can only do 2 hours a day, it will take me forever!

[Kilkenny]

And keep in mind that after 800 grit you can give the sculpture an oxalic acid wash to bring up a brilliant gloss.