hello all, ne 1 here know what type of sand paper to use to sand down to a brushed steel effect? do i use wet and dry or normal paper, also what gradient do i use, btw merry christmas and a happy new "pimpin" year to all

k hope this will help and not confuse ya.Also what i am going to tell you is just a educated guess so try it out on a sample or a place that cannot be seen on your case.1st dont go to heavy with the sandpaper (grit) maybe a 600 to 800 grit.Make sure that you go in one direction and I would also use a sanding block.Use the sandpaper dry and just scuff it up a little to get your grain.Next get some perma blue (the stuff that folks use on gun barrels to make black) warm up you pieces and lightly rub perma blue onto the metal.this will make all your steel turn black.Next get some very fine steel wool to "buff" off the black and go in the same direction that you did when you sanded.What this is going to do is leave a little vlack in the grooves that you got when sanding and will also tone down your steel so its not to bright.Its going to take some time but should work out allright i have done some jewelry pieces like this with brass and nickel and it came out fine.you are going to have to clear coat that thing really good look at Insoms paint how to or you can opt for waxing of you go the waxing route do it with Mop & Glo ,it will not buff out all your work like if you would do a rub out with something with a grit.Good luck hope this helps and a merry Christmas and New Year back at ya

I made a real nice effect (on aluminum at least...but it'll work just as well on steel...only take longer) with using a palm sander (orbital sanders...ones that vibrate and shift around in a circular pattern). 600 or higher grit is maybe a bit too fine of a grit...I mean, I did use it to lap my heatsink to near polished already. May want to start out with something like 320 or 220 since it's still fine and will get you somewhere faster.

thanks 4 the info flounder and cyphre, much appreciated