What REALLY HAPPENS on your "Polishing papers"? => 15 photos

   First of all, I have just one question. Why is the polishing paper that is being shown here so 'bright & shiny'?

My answer is that you are looking at this is where the soft-core pencil rubbing took place. This is an absolute necessity in this whole graver cleaning process.

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This essay is all about what occurs while you are applying your engraving tools to the 'modified, polishing papers'. 

 Without any soft-core pencil 'rubbing', there wouldn't be any chance to improve the texture of the paper. I prefer to use only #800 grit paper for the 'beginning' process.

 The basic level of #600 grit is not soft enough to initiate the enhancement of the gravers.

 When the steel gravers have been used, then gently switch to #800 grit. The final grade of the paper would be #1,200 grit.

 Each of these polishing papers now has a chance to change the degree from a 'mediocre' quality to 'exquisite'.

 Now I will use a finer texture and use #1,200 grit paper. All of this is done by filling in the pores of the paper with a soft pencil lead.

 As you can see is the beginning of the higher lustre of steel graver taking place.

 There are 8 levels of 'softness' being shown here. They range from a coarse 'Emery' (on the right stick) to an ultra-smooth 'Polishing' paper (on the left stick).

 

 The darkened paper is the reflection of the paper under the minimum amount of bench lights.

 Basically, in this one photo, there is only one grade of pencil rubbing that has just taken place.

  On the far right corner of this photo is the untouched #800 grit paper. Now look towards the centre and left corners, that is where the pencil rubbing was just applied. 

 I WOULD APPLY A DEEPER LAYER OF 'SOFT PENCIL' LEAD. I need this to work with the steel gravers. All of the freshly rubbed paper must be covered with these pencil rubbings.

 After many rubbings on the polishing papers, this soft pencil actually was contoured with the soft lead to a 'nice angle' for future rubbings.

 This is the best Polishing Paper to use. At #1,200 grit, the pores of the paper are now being filled with the soft core pencil lead.

 These front sections of these gravers still need to be refined further.

  You can see how much of the pencil lead has been used. I will gladly apply further soft lead into the pores of these papers.

 When the graver has sharp edges, always be careful not to cut into the paper too deeply. If you do that, then the section will be deemed useless.

 DO NOT PRESS TOO HEAVILY ON THE PAPER. I SUGGEST TAKING LONG AND DELIBERATE RUBBING.

 

 When you are cleaning a FLAT graver, always keep the graver lying flat. You need a steady contact with the paper at all times.

  This photo shows the full extension of the pencil rubbings. All of the pencil rubbing will be used and not 'bits & pieces'.

 Without any soft pencil rubbings, there won't be any bright & shiny sections for the 'Bright Cutting' to take place.

 I could keep writing about what is transpiring at the 'paper level'. Suffice, to say that this essay is a start on this long topic.