I'm torch firing enamel powders, frits, Diachroic, etc. on 24 oz copper sheets.. I want to retain some of the natural copper color in some areas of the pieces after being torched (no underglaze..), so I need to remove the firescale.
Mostly, I've been using SPAREX #2 and a dremel (with an arsenal of bits, discs, etc...) and the results have been pretty good but I have noticed some 'dulling' after cleaning where the end of the glass meets copper. I want to try and avoid this in future pieces and was wondering if anyone has a better method of removing the firescale.... ( I'm pretty sure the Dremel is causing the 'dulling')....
I read somewhere that "Penny Weight" cleaner is supposed to work really well with enamel's, metals and is less caustic but I've never tried it.... Is it any good ?
Also, should I stay away from the dremel for this application ? Would doing it the 'old fashioned way' ( by hand..) be a better option ? What would be the recommended sanding grit's / stones etc... for finishing the enameled / fused piece ? The finest grit I currently have is wet sanding paper @ 600 and 800 grit which I use to give the copper some 'tooth' to hold the enamel previous to torching.
Any suggestions as to the 'above' would be helpful !
Cheers,
/FC