Begin final polishing of silver 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 previous 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 for silver alloys. They do not form a mandatory sequence.

  • LUXI Super Fine White is the standard choice for a high, even lustre. Use a separate clean unstitched muslin or flannel wheel; choose the softer flannel wheel for a higher final lustre.
  • LUXI Red is an independent 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. Do not use felt tools with LUXI Red.
  • LUXI Orange is an independent choice for an exceptionally high, even lustre, strict surface inspection, and preparation of an open silver alloy 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 is a signal for cleaning and re-inspection, not proof of a pore or another defect. It may be compound residue, wheel contamination, removed metal, or an indication of a recess. Remove the trace completely before assessing the surface. If a visible pore, crack, depression, or another irregularity remains on the cleaned silver, return 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. For another diameter, select the operating conditions according to linear surface speed, contact area, wheel stability, temperature, and the behaviour of the particular silver alloy.

Apply the selected compound minimally to its own clean wheel. Work in short, smooth passes, keep the item moving, use light controlled pressure, and check the temperature and result regularly. Do not compensate for an incomplete first stage with excess compound, increased pressure, or prolonged continuous contact.

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:

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

Silver is especially sensitive to an unsuitable cleaning process. If the surface becomes milky or cloudy, changes tone, or reveals preparation marks after cleaning, do not automatically repeat the finishing step. First check completion of the first stage, wheel cleanliness, compound amount, contact temperature, and the cleaning method itself.

Cleaning and coatings

Select the cleaning method for the silver alloy, item construction, stones, enamels, adhesive joints, coatings, and next operation. Do not prescribe LUXI iClean, ultrasonic cleaning, heated solution, solvent, or steam automatically. If ultrasonic cleaning is selected, its time, temperature, power, and solution must be compatible with the whole item; difficult cleaning must not be compensated for by a longer or hotter cycle.

If the item already has a coating, identify its type, thickness, adhesion, and condition first. Do not mechanically polish a thin coating that must be preserved. An unknown coating must be identified. A sufficiently thick and stable layer permits only a general test-based assessment, not an automatic recommendation for a particular compound.

Before future electroplating or PVD on an open silver alloy, remove all compound, removed metal, greasy film, and wheel contamination. Accept the surface only after cleaning, drying, cooling, and directed-light inspection.