Sanding & polishing
To achieve a professional, high-quality finish on your RAW resin dice, sanding and polishing are essential steps. There are two primary methods you can use, depending on the tools and materials you have available. Here’s a guide for both techniques.
1 / Using Zona Papers (Beginners)
2 / Using 3M Sanding Papers and Dremel Rotary Tool (Advanced)
Important Safety Notes
Wear Protective Gear: it's essential to wear nitrile gloves (unlike latex gloves, nitrile gloves are resistant to many chemicals and do not react with resin), a mask (I recommend the 3M 6000 mask with the 3M 6055 filter), and protective glasses while sanding and polishing.
Be mindful not to round off the edges of your dice during the process. Maintain sharp corners and faces for the best finish.
Always use clean water during sanding to prevent overheating the resin and reduce dust.
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Using Zona Papers (Beginners)
Zona papers are specialized abrasive sheets perfect for sanding and polishing.
What You’ll Need:
A package of Zona papers
A solid surface (like a mirror or glass)
Clean water
Microfibre cloth
Polishing compound
Nitrile gloves, mask, and protective glasses
Prepare Your Work Area: Place a piece of first Zona paper (green) on a solid, flat surface like a mirror or glass. This will ensure an even sanding and polishing process.
Apply Water: Drop a few drops of clean water onto the Zona paper to prevent dust and help with the sanding process.
Sanding: Begin sanding each face of the dice using a circular motion. Work systematically on every face, ensuring consistent pressure and movement. Start with the green (coarsest) Zona paper to remove resin scraps, bumps, or other imperfections. Once satisfied with the initial sanding, proceed to the grey paper, which is the next grit level.
Polishing with Finer Grits: After leveling out the surfaces with the coarser Zona papers, move to the finer grits for polishing. The progression is as follows:
Green: Coarse (initial sanding)
Grey: Medium-coarse (still sanding, smoothing out imperfections)
Blue: Medium (starting to refine the surface)
Pink: Fine (adding smoothness)
Aqua: Very fine (pre-polish finish)
White: Ultra-fine (final sanding before polishing)
Continue using a circular motion on each grit until the dice faces are smooth and ready for the next stage.
Final Polishing: Once you’ve completed sanding with all the Zona paper grits, use a microfibre cloth and a polishing compound. Rub the polishing compound into each die face in circular motions to achieve a glass-like shine.
Inking: Choose any paint you like for inking, whether alcohol-based or water-based, and carefully fill the grooves of each number. Let the paint dry completely, then clean off any excess using a cloth lightly soaked in rubbing alcohol. Be cautious not to use alcohol with too high a percentage, as it can damage the dice.
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Tips for Success
Always sand with clean water to avoid scratches from dust or debris.
Ensure all sanding is done using a circular motion to maintain uniformity.
Polishing dice is slow work. It can take several hours to finish a set. Plan ahead so you have enough time.
Rinse and dry the dice between grit changes.
Work in a well-ventilated area and use protective gear to safeguard your health.
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Using 3M Sanding Papers and Dremel Rotary Tool (Advanced)
This method is a bit more advanced but yields professional results. It involves using 3M sanding papers and a Dremel rotary tool for polishing.
What You’ll Need:
3M sanding papers (2000 and 2500 grit)
A solid surface (like a mirror or glass)
A Dremel rotary tool (or similar rotary tool)
Cloth polishing wheels for Dremel
3M green polishing compound (for initial polish; you can try a different one, but at your own risk).
3M blue polishing compound (for final polish; you can try a different one, but at your own risk).
Microfibre cloth
Nitrile gloves, mask, and protective glasses
Prepare Your Work Area: Set up a solid, flat surface (like a mirror or glass) and place the 2000-grit 3M sanding paper on it. Keep the 2500-grit paper nearby for later use.
Start Sanding: Wet the 2000 grit and 2500 grit sanding papers with a few drops of clean water. Gently sand each face of the dice with circular motions, starting with the coarser 2000 grit, then progressing to the finer 2500 grit. This step will smooth out any rough surfaces and prep the dice for polishing.
Use the Dremel: Once you've finished sanding, attach a cloth polishing wheel to your rotary tool. Apply a small amount of the 3M green polishing compound to the face of the die and use the Dremel on low speed to polish that face. Move in circular motions to ensure an even, smooth shine. Repeat this process for every face of the die.
Refine the Shine: Switch to the blue 3M polishing compound for a final, high-gloss finish. Use a different polishing wheel to avoid mixing compounds, and polish each die face until you achieve a mirror-like shine.
Inking: Choose any paint you like for inking, whether alcohol-based or water-based, and carefully fill the grooves of each number. Let the paint dry completely, then clean off any excess using a cloth lightly soaked in rubbing alcohol. Be cautious not to use alcohol with too high a percentage, as it can damage the dice.
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Tips for Success
Use this method only if you know how to handle tools like a Dremel. If not, practice on scrap pieces before starting.
Dice are sharp and can slip or fly out of your hands. Wear your protective gear and work slowly to keep control.
Polishing dice is slow work. It can take several hours to finish a set. Plan ahead so you have enough time.
Most mistakes happen during the first sanding step. Uneven pressure can round edges or leave scratches. Sand each face carefully.
These are small objects, and rushing will lead to errors. Work methodically for the best results.
Work in a well-ventilated area and use protective gear to safeguard your health.