Begin final polishing of gold only after the item geometry, required repair, abrasive preparation, and the appropriate first polishing stage have been completed. All visible marks from the last abrasive must be fully removed, the surface must already be even, and residue from the first-stage compound and removed metal must be removed before changing to a separate clean finishing tool.

Choose one finishing compound

LUXI Super Fine White, LUXI Red, and LUXI Orange are independent finishing choices. They do not form a mandatory sequence and must not be applied one after another without a separate material- and process-specific reason.

  • LUXI Super Fine White is the standard choice for a high, even lustre on gold and most gold alloys. Use a separate clean unstitched muslin or flannel wheel. Choose the softer flannel wheel when a higher final lustre is required.
  • LUXI Red is an independent finishing choice when black-trace inspection of micropores and small irregularities is useful. Use a separate clean soft unstitched cotton wheel or a separate clean unstitched Luxol wheel. The exact Luxol fabric family is not established and must not be invented in public copy. Do not use felt tools with LUXI Red.
  • LUXI Orange is an independent choice for an exceptionally high, even lustre, stricter final inspection, and preparation of open metal before electroplating, PVD, or another operation sensitive to compound residue. Use a separate clean unstitched muslin or flannel wheel.

Black trace with LUXI Red

A black trace in a micropore, small recess, or irregularity is a signal for cleaning and closer inspection, not proof of a defect. It may be residue from LUXI Red, wheel contamination, removed metal, or an indication of an uneven area. Remove the trace completely and inspect the area again. Only a visible pore, crack, depression, or another defect that remains on the cleaned surface is a basis for returning the item to preparation, repair, or a production-suitability decision.

Working conditions

For a wheel approximately 150 mm in diameter, use 2500–3000 rpm as the working starting range. Do not transfer this range automatically to another diameter. Select the operating conditions according to linear surface speed, contact area and stability, temperature, and the behaviour of the particular alloy.

Apply each compound minimally to its own clean wheel. Work in short, smooth passes, keep the item moving relative to the wheel, use light controlled pressure, and check the surface and temperature regularly. Excess compound, increased pressure, and prolonged continuous contact must not replace completion of the previous stage or the correct working body.

Completion criterion

The finish is complete after all compound and removed metal have been removed and the item has been dried and allowed to cool, when directed-light inspection confirms:

  • an even lustre and uniform reflection;
  • no dull areas or marks from the previous stage;
  • preserved edges, relief, and geometry;
  • a stable result after cleaning.

If the lustre deteriorates after cleaning or scratches, lines, haze, pores, cracks, or other defects become visible, check preparation, completion of the first stage, wheel choice and cleanliness, compound amount, pressure, temperature, and the cleaning method. A finishing compound must not be used to correct an incomplete first stage.

Cleaning and coatings

The item must be completely cleaned after finishing, but select the cleaning method for the alloy, item construction, stones, inserts, joints, existing coating, and next operation. Do not prescribe LUXI iClean, ultrasonic cleaning, heated solution, solvent, or steam automatically.

If the item already has a coating, identify its type, thickness, adhesion, and condition first. Do not mechanically polish a thin decorative, protective, electroplated, or PVD coating that must be preserved. An unknown coating must be identified. A sufficiently thick and stable layer permits only a general test-based assessment on a sample or non-critical area; a successful test alone does not create an automatic recommendation for a particular compound.

Before future electroplating or PVD on open metal, no compound, removed metal, greasy film, wheel contamination, cloudy area, or defect revealed by cleaning may remain.