First attempt at polishing dice

I totally get the excitement of polishing your first set of resin dice! It's such a rewarding process, even with a few learning curves. Based on my own experiences and what I've learned along the way, I wanted to share some extra tips to help you get that super clear, factory-smooth finish we all dream of for our handmade dice. First off, getting set up properly makes a huge difference. You'll want a good selection of wet/dry sandpaper or micro-mesh pads, ideally going up to at least 8000-12000 grit for a mirror-like shine. Don't forget a bowl of water for wet sanding, a soft cloth for drying, and a quality plastic polishing compound (like Novus plastic polish or even some car headlight restorer). The Grit Journey: Slow and Steady Wins the Race The OCR mentioned starting at 200 grit, which is a great place to begin for removing any prominent mold lines or major imperfections. When you're at this stage, focus on getting all surfaces evenly sanded. You want to eliminate any visible marks from the casting process. 200-400 Grit: This is your heavy-lifting phase. Apply consistent, light pressure and sand in small circular motions. Make sure you fully eliminate the scratches from each previous grit before moving on. Crucially, clean your dice thoroughly with water and a soft cloth after each grit level. Even tiny particles from a coarser grit can cause new scratches when you move to a finer one. 1000-2000 Grit: You'll start to see a matte finish developing. The goal here is to refine the surface and remove the finer scratches left by the previous grits. Keep up the wet sanding technique, and continuously check your dice under a light source to ensure an even finish. The OCR mentioned some cloudy faces even after 2000 grit – this often happens if scratches from earlier grits aren't fully removed or if the jump to polish is too drastic. Beyond 2000 Grit: This is where the magic really starts for that crystal-clear look! I've found that continuing with higher grits like 3000, 5000, and even 7000 or 12000 micro-mesh pads makes a huge difference before applying any compound. Each step significantly reduces microscopic imperfections, preparing the surface for a dazzling shine. Don't skip these finer steps if you're aiming for perfection! The Final Polish: Bringing out the Sparkle Once you've sanded through your highest grit, it's time for the polishing compound. Apply a small amount to a clean, soft cloth or a buffing wheel on a rotary tool (like a Dremel, used at a low speed). Work the compound into the dice surface with gentle, circular motions. You'll see the cloudy, matte finish transform into a brilliant, reflective surface. Make sure to get into all the nooks and crannies. If, like the original post, you still notice some cloudy areas (like the 7 and 1 faces), don't despair! This usually means you need to go back a few grit levels and sand those specific spots more thoroughly. It's easy to miss spots, especially on complex dice shapes. Sometimes, a quick pass with a 7000 or 12000 grit pad on those stubborn cloudy areas before re-polishing can work wonders. Patience is truly your best friend in dice polishing. It might take a few attempts to get it just right, but each time you learn something new. Happy rolling!