Kim, in response to your query about using 3M bristle disks for
finishing (assuming you mean a high polish), it can be done, but it
takes for freakin’ ever. I used to do this with a very detailed
series of cast pendants (a dobsonfly head, actually, still on my
website), and while the results were very nice, going through the
whole series of grits was a PITA. (The bristle disks can, however, be
used to make very nice matte or brushed finishes quite quickly.)
For most detailed pieces, I now use the 220 or 400 grit bristle
disks to brush off excess oxidization after darkening pieces with
Griffith’s SilverBlack - they are indispensable for this! Then I toss
them in a little Harbor Freight tumbler with stainless shot. I’ve
used this for both cast and constructed pieces and have been very
happy with the results.
Good luck and HTH,
Jessee Smith
www.silverspotstudio.com
Cincinnati, OH