Abrasives in Violin Making
In violin making, powdered abrasives are essential for carefully preparing the wood and perfectly smoothing the varnish surfaces. Pumice powder is a natural, porous abrasive especially suited for fine sanding, gently leveling unevenness without leaving scratches. Tripel, a fine abrasive powder, is mainly used after varnishing to remove minor imperfections and give the surface a velvety shine. Bolus, a clay powder, serves as an abrasive and polishing agent. Wiener Kalk is a fine abrasive and polishing powder used for the final fine sanding before polishing, ensuring a flawless surface. Also, Horsetail powder, a very fine abrasive and polishing powder derived from the traditional horsetail plant, is used in violin making to gently smooth varnish surfaces.
Vienna chalk, for fine abrasive
This fine powder is used in dry condition for fine grinding. If you use the powder with water you get a high gloss varnish surface.
