aluminum oxide and silicon carbide parti-
cles embedded in a synthetic fiber mat
allowing it to easily follow surface con-
tours and to reach into surface imperfec-
tions. It does a great job of cleaning most
anything and in coarser grits can be quite
aggressive.
Platin is a mesh material impregnated
with silicon carbide abrasives on a foam
layer which I use either as a final step on
polished surfaces or for the final flattening
steps just before the use of rubbing or
buffing compounds. They are available in
“grits” up to 4000 so produce a really nice
fine surface on their own.
The view above is of the working surface
of Festool’s Platin while the photo above
right shows the foam layer (this photo of
another manufacturers similar product).
When Platin is followed by rubbing or
buffing compounds an extreme high gloss
can easily be achieved. Try this on highly
figured woods like big leaf maple that
have been finished by quality clear water
based conversion varnish and people will
just have to touch the surface to make
sure it is flat. It looks so three dimen-
sional they will swear there are peaks
and valleys a bit like a topographical map
rather than a flat surface.
If Platin is used as the final step you will
get a very flat surface which will refract
light well but which has less surface
sheen than is achieved by following with
rubbing or buffing compounds so the sur-
face will reflect a bit less light.
For some “real” magic on bare hardwood,
especially resinous exotics like blood-
wood or rosewood, sand to around 800
grit and then use Platin working up to
4000 grit. The surface of the unfinished
wood will take on a gloss and patina of its
own that simply cannot be matched by
any finish I know if. A bit of wax will main-
tain that patina, but it is an easily marked
surface unsuited for any wear and is not
at all water resistant.
There are a number of other abrasive
materials available from other manufac-
turers that can also be useful but some
may present a bit of a downside as well.
One, sold by Mirka, is called “Abranet”. It
is an open silicon carbide mesh. Without
the interface pad also sold by Mirka, the
use of Abranet may prematurely wear the
hook and loop elements on the Festool
To Next Page
Loading...
