I've been very lucky to obtain some nice meerschaum blocks but I've been having some trouble with the final finish. No matter what I do there's always a scratch pattern on the meerschaum, even with extremely careful and gentle buffing... I've even tried ridiculous abrasives such as 3000 and 6000 trizact, it didn't help. It seems like the meerschaum is sort of "self abrasive", where the particles that you sand off keep scratching the surface...
Can anyone who has successfully finished a meer offer me some tips?
Thanks!
Finishing meerschaum?
Re: Finishing meerschaum?
Beeswax.
I don't have a lot of experience with meerschaum but I have refinished the tops on calabash pipes before. I sanded to 1000 grit then applied melted beeswax and got a nice sheen. I'd try it on a small section and see what happens.
I don't have a lot of experience with meerschaum but I have refinished the tops on calabash pipes before. I sanded to 1000 grit then applied melted beeswax and got a nice sheen. I'd try it on a small section and see what happens.
Re: Finishing meerschaum?
I have only made a handful of Meers, I found the same problems you did until I realised you have to wax before the final finish.
I sanded up to 1000 dry, then waxed and buffed firmly with a soft cotton cloth, got a nice finish.
I sanded up to 1000 dry, then waxed and buffed firmly with a soft cotton cloth, got a nice finish.